Russell: We’ve improved since the first training session

Mercedes drivers view Friday’s practice in Melbourne differently – George Russell is happy with the day’s results, but Lewis Hamilton is not.

George Russell (4th): “The second practice was a bit spoiled by the bad weather, but everything went well for us. We made a clear step forward from the first session – if I wasn’t happy with the car in the morning, then everything suited me in the afternoon.

Unfortunately, we are not yet in the shape we should be. We know that the team is preparing new items and after a few grands prix we will add, but now we have to take every opportunity, try to spend the weekend like in Jeddah where we can see the potential of the car.

Lewis Hamilton (13e): “In the morning everything went well, but in the afternoon not so much. The car behaves much the same as it did in the first two Grands Prix, but in the first session I was more happy with it than in the second.

We made some changes, but they didn’t work, and then it started to rain. Not the best session, but in the evening we will study everything in detail to achieve more tomorrow.

We are not going to compete with Red Bull this weekend. I think the speed of the car will allow you to finish fifth, just like in the last race.”