With Mercedes having launched their 2023 challenger – the W14 – on Wednesday at the home of the British Grand Prix, the Germans have dominated the headlines to absolutely no shock at all.
They opted to complete their official shakedown test at Silverstone straight after launching the W14, with Lewis Hamilton and George Russell having driven the car on Wednesday and Thursday.
Both drivers shared their initial thoughts of the car after getting their first taste of it, with a general theme of the team being in a “pretty good place” having been mentioned.
“It’s been a pretty good winter, we’re in a pretty strong place, and probably mentally I feel I’m in a strong as place as I’ve ever been,” Russell said after driving the W14, as reported by Formula1.com.
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“I’m in a happy place, I feel good within myself and I feel like I took the necessary time off but equally the necessary time working with the team.
“So far so good, everything ran very smoothly [in the shakedown] and it’s just great to get behind the wheel and see the car in the flesh.”
An impressive car is exactly what Hamilton needs in the forthcoming season, with the seven-time World Champion likely not to accept another campaign like last season.
With the conditions for the shakedown test having been far from optimal, Hamilton can’t predict where the team will be come Bahrain; however, he is “excited” about the season now that he’s had the chance to drive the car.
“It has been great to get up and running with the W14,” said Hamilton
“It is always a much-anticipated moment for everyone at the factory that has been working so hard; I’m incredibly grateful for all the effort that has gone in.
“The day has been smooth; we got through a good programme, and we’ve come away with some useful findings. I generally felt comfortable in the car and I’m excited to get going in Bahrain.”
It’s safe to assume that the Germans will be in the top three, but the question on everyone’s lips is if they’ll be ahead of both Red Bull and Ferrari.
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It looks likely that Mercedes will be impeccably close to the front, with it having reported that, “Mercedes has worked to reduce the W14’s weight, with changes to internal parts as well as the exposed carbon.
“Estimates suggest a gain of up to three tenths per lap from reduced weight alone.”
This report comes from F1 journalist Giuliano Duchessa, with Bahrain set to be where the world will see if Mercedes are indeed back this year.