George Russell offers glum Mercedes outlook as Brit makes Bahrain GP podium prediction

George Russell says Red Bull are in "a league of their own" as the new Formula 1 season gets underway in Bahrain.

And the 25-year-old Brit, who got the better of his team-mate Lewis Hamilton last year, clearly believes Mercedes are facing an almighty battle just to contend for a podium place in Sunday's opening race. The competition will be strong, if pre-season testing performances are to be believed.

Russell told reporters: "I think it's definitely fair to say Red Bull are in a league of their own this weekend. But it'll probably be a nice fight for second between Ferrari and Aston Martin."

Russell might have meant to include his own team in that scrap but one thing is for sure... the vibes in Bahrain all suggest a first-day procession for defending world champion Max Verstappen.

And the Dutchman could not have looked more confident and relaxed as he prepared to start his campaign for a third drivers' title. Asked where his Red Bull car – which won the constructors' title by over 200 points in 2022 – was better than last year's version, he simply replied: "Everywhere."

While Russell is not as bullish, he at least believes Mercedes will grow into the season and are in a better position than they were when they came to Bahrain 12 months ago.

Max Verstappen is the clear favourite heading into the Bahrain Grand Prix (Getty Images)

He explained: "It's going to be a challenge... but the guys have not just forgotten how to build a fast racing car – they created eight world championship-winning cars. I think you saw our development last year was pretty spectacular and we are starting from a higher point this year – a better base.

"I believe we will close the gap. Bahrain is a pretty unique circuit – an outlier – but this weekend will take us a step forward."

But neither Russell or Hamilton are likely to get close to Verstappen in the early stages of 2023 after the Red Bull team put in some ominous pre-season testing runs.

Verstappen said: "Yes, we are in a better place than we were last year but that does not mean we are satisfied. And we must remain calm and realistic. Things will go wrong. But absolutely we have made improvements."