Mercedes pair reflect on their first F1 2023 run at Silverstone

Neil Farrell

2 years ago

Mercedes pair got a full day of filming/shakedown of W14 at Silverstone as both Lewis Hamilton and George Russell reflected on ow it went.

For Mercedes, the 2023 sees them return to their black liveried charge having used their Silver Arrow look for 2022. A trying campaign last year for the Brackley outfit saw just one win but overall a very strong and consistent second part of the season.

Following the mini filming run of 15 km, the Mercedes team completed a full filming day of 100 km at Silverstone on Thursday post their launch day. George Russell – who did the sole run on Wednesday – drove in the morning of the full shakedown before handing over to Lewis Hamilton for the afternoon session.

Between them, Russell and Hamilton combined to complete the 100 km of permitted running on the National Circuit which is roughly around 32-33 laps in all. “It’s great to get on track with the W14,” said Russell. “It was very cold and greasy out there today, but the car ran smoothly, and we completed all the laps we are permitted to do”.

“We know pre-season testing in Bahrain will be the first real test of the car. Nevertheless, it looks great out on circuit and the feeling from within the car is so far, so good.” Teammate Hamilton who had his first run, noted: “It has been great to get up and running with the W14. 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.” And finally, Andrew Shovlin added: “We’ve had a solid start to the programme for W14.

“Conditions weren’t great for filming or running but we completed the permitted 100km without any issues, and both drivers have been able to give us a good assessment of their first impressions of the car. Bahrain will be very different to a cold, wet Silverstone but everything seems to be working well. Hopefully we can hit the ground running next week and maximise the three days of pre-season testing that we have.”

It is now onward to Bahrain after Mercedes completed their initial running. Having had a very strong second part of 2022, they will be eager to be at the sharp end from the word go but at the launch, they were optimistic and cautious as well without a lot of hype.