WHO HAS STOLEN A MARCH ON THE GRAND PRIX OPPOSITION?
Mercedes-AMG Formula 1 Team
Chassis: W13
Power unit: Mercedes-AMG F1 M13
Laps: 393 (2nd)
Fastest laps: 1m19.138s, Hamilton (1st) 1m19.233s, Russell (2nd)
Mercedes might have left Barcelona with the fastest laps across the three days, but the general feeling is that the second test in Bahrain is where there will be a greater focus on performance.
Last year’s title runner-up Lewis Hamilton said the team had some “obstacles” to overcome, adding: “It hasn’t been the easiest of running. The car is a lot different to previous years and we are working our way through it.”
His new team-mate George Russell left early on the last day and flew straight to Brackley to correlate track running with the team’s simulator.
Returning to its traditional Silver Arrows colours, the W13 is a sleek, neat-looking car with a tightly-packaged power unit to reveal a lot of the floor. The detailed design and wavy swoops on the leading edge of the floor have been designed to channel the air into the rear diffuser.
In addition, the sidepods on the new Mercedes are positioned further back, increasing the space behind the front axle. There are nice details to be found in the front brake ducts that direct the airflow underneath the sidepods. Expect further refinements in Bahrain.
Red Bull Racing
Chassis: RB18
Power unit: Red Bull RBPTH001
Laps: 358 (4th)
1m19.556s, Perez (3rd)
