Mercedes, job done. Russell smiles: “Pleasant car, we completed many km without problems”

Silver Arrows always at the top Has Mercedes really returned to the top of F1? Of course, it’s still too early to tell, but the first clues emerging from the shakedown tests in Barcelona certainly look quite encouraging for the Silver Arrows. For the moment, Antonelli and Russell’s W17s seem extremely reliable and also – at least for what little it can mean in tests like this, behind closed doors – quite fast. Or at least, they are reaching a good speed before the others. Even on day 4 the two black and silver drivers set the best times and completed a total of 168 laps. Only Ferrari with the Leclerc-Hamilton duo spent more time on the track. Over the three days of work – which Mercedes completed today – the total laps completed were 502, equal to approximately 2338 km. Not bad at the start of a new technical regulation that is revolutionary compared to the past. Russell, at the end of this day, did not hide his satisfaction, while keeping his feet firmly planted on the ground. Russell speaks “It was another satisfying day and, overall, a positive test for us here in Barcelona. The car is pleasant to drive – declared the Englishman – but above all we completed many kilometers without encountering any major problems. We solved the small problems we encountered, which is the aim of these tests. The car works well, but we know that it is not this that counts, but the speed it can reach. We have no indications on this yet, so we will have to wait for Bahrain to get an idea of the relative hierarchy. It is still early, but we can be satisfied with the initial foundations we have laid.”