Mashable: Lewis Hamilton, set to join Ferrari next year, expressed satisfaction with Mercedes' new 2024 car.

Lewis Hamilton expressed his surprise after his Mercedes team unexpectedly topped the timesheets in practice ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix, with teammate George Russell closely following. Despite the pleasant shock, Hamilton cautioned his team against complacency, emphasizing the need to remain focused and keep pushing forward.

Lewis Hamilton on the W15:

“It feels like a race car for once and the last two cars didn’t feel like that.” pic.twitter.com/IqePXfJHf2

— Mercedes-AMG F1 News (@MercedesNewsUK) February 29, 2024
The seven-time world champion, set to depart Mercedes for Ferrari next year, shared his satisfaction with the performance of their new 2024 car, noting that there is still more potential to unlock. He highlighted improvements in the car compared to last year, describing it as feeling more like a race car, which has boosted his confidence for the upcoming season.

While Mercedes demonstrated strong pace in qualifying trim, outpacing defending champion Max Verstappen's Red Bull, Hamilton acknowledged Verstappen's superior long-run pace in race setup. Despite this, he remained optimistic about Mercedes' competitiveness and their ability to challenge for podium positions alongside Ferrari, Aston Martin, and McLaren.

Verstappen, despite finishing sixth in practice, remained unfazed, expressing confidence in his team's ability to find the optimal setup for the race. He remained focused on their own performance, confident that they would be competitive when they find the right balance.

Hamilton, reflecting on his winless streak since 2021, remains determined to contribute to Mercedes' pursuit of another championship title. Meanwhile, Russell emphasized the importance of not getting carried away after one day of practice, acknowledging the stiff competition from other teams.

As the Bahrain Grand Prix weekend unfolds, all eyes will be on Mercedes and their rivals as they vie for supremacy on the track.