Mercedes set key task ahead of Bahrain GP

Mercedes Trackside Engineering Director Andrew Shovlin believes the team's pre-season test was "encouraging", with focus now turning to using the data collected to prepare for the opening race of the year.

The Silver Arrows enjoyed a largely drama-free three days at the Bahrain International Circuit with the new W15, a car that has diverged from the initial philosophy seen on the W13 and W14, with Lewis Hamilton and George Russell getting used to the new machinery alongside the engineers.

Having won only once in the past two seasons, Mercedes will be hoping for a considerable step forward in performance and whilst that was not seen during testing, given all the usual caveats, the feedback given from both drivers has been enough to provide optimism ahead of the first race of the year at the same venue next weekend.

'Never easy to make predictions'

Addressing Mercedes' test running, Shovlin said: "We've had three useful days here in Bahrain and managed to make good progress understanding the W15.

"Compared to last year's car, the feedback from the drivers is very different and more positive, which is encouraging. The team has worked hard to iron out the handling flaws that were integral to the W14, and it's great that we seem to have put a number of those problems behind us.

"Over the course of the test we've made good steps on our understanding of the car. The task of the next few days is to pick through the results and put together the best package to take into the race weekend.

"It's never easy to make predictions on pace from testing, as all teams are quite effective at hiding their pace when they want to. It's clear that we are in a much better position than 12 months ago though.

"We've got a busy few days ahead now making our final preparations for the season-opener, and we're already looking forward to the race weekend and the season ahead."