[Saba Sports News] As the Bahrain pre-season tests came to a close, the Mercedes team did not dominate the leaderboard, sparking speculation from the outside. In this regard, former F1 driver Jolyon Carlyle Palmer believes that this low-key conclusion is not a coincidence but rather a strategy: the Mercedes team intentionally aims to hide its true strength. During the tests, Charles Leclerc recorded the fastest lap for the Ferrari team, while George Russell’s best time for Mercedes only ranked sixth. In addition to single-lap speed, start performance also became a focal point. With the new power units eliminating the MGU-H device, turbo lag issues were more pronounced, and teams generally struggled at the start. Although the FIA introduced blue light signals to enhance safety, Mercedes’ starting efficiency still lagged slightly behind Ferrari. Palmer noted that he was more concerned about Mercedes’ strategic choices in the later stages of the tests. Unlike some rivals who focused on single-lap times, Mercedes did not engage in noticeable qualifying simulations or extreme performance displays.
The editor believes that this approach by Mercedes reveals a certain confidence—they do not need to reveal all their cards during the tests. Although there are still questions about the reliability of the Mercedes cars, the overall state of the car and driver feedback appear to be quite positive at this time.