It’s ‘damage limitation’ and Mercedes ‘aren’t bluffing’

The bad news coming from Mercedes continues with Andrew Shovlin saying this weekend’s Bahrain Grand Prix is a case of “damage limitation” for the reigning Constructors’ champions.

Putting in the laps in Friday’s practice, George Russell finished fourth fastest with Lewis Hamilton down in P9.

And judging by the gap to the front, it seems Mercedes pre-race concerns were justified.

Russell was sixth-tenths behind P1 sitter Max Verstappen with Hamilton a further six-tenths back from his team-mate.

Neither driver is feeling confident about their chances come Saturday’s qualifying with Shovlin saying “damage limitation” may be the best Mercedes can hope for.

Although having two cars on the track meant Mercedes were able to trial two different floor configurations, the Brackley squad seem to be no closer to solving the porpoising issues that are affecting their W13.

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Lewis Hamilton admits Mercedes face "much bigger problems" than they have in previous years to get up to speed. #F1https://t.co/4aUmvxd2EL pic.twitter.com/SQn3B4Po5L

— PlanetF1 (@Planet_F1) March 18, 2022

“Our first session made use of the fact that we had two cars for the first time this year and chose to run them in different specifications,” the Mercedes’ trackside engineering director said.

“That was a useful test, and we got a clear read on which set-up and floor