© Sam Bloxham for Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix ltd.
After the first day of 2025 pre-season testing, George Russell and Kimi Antonelli keep their cards close to their chest while giving first impressions of the W16.
Although not much can be read into the results of the first day of 2025 pre-season testing, it was nice to see Andrea Kimi Antonelli top the timesheets in the morning session.
However, the young Italian refrained from making any premature assumptions about the Mercedes W16.
“That’s the first morning in the car done and it was a good session,” Antonelli said.
“I really enjoyed getting behind the wheel of the W16 and working through our programme. It was nice to start to build my feeling with the car and get some laps under our belt.
“We completed our programme but there is a lot more work to get through over the next two days so I can’t wait to get back on track tomorrow,” he concluded.
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George Russell, who finished the first day of testing in P2, right behind McLaren’s Lando Norris, also decided to remain coy.
“It was good to get in the W16 for the first day of testing and start to understand more about the car,” the Briton said.
“It was a positive day as everything went smoothly and we were able to work through our programme, despite the interruption with the lights going out in the afternoon!
“It’s only the first day, and the cool conditions are unusual for Bahrain, so we can’t read too much into performance at the moment.
“We can pleased with our work today though and we’re looking forward to getting back on circuit tomorrow,” Russell concluded.
