Mercedes drivers Russell and Lewis Hamilton qualified fourth and sixth respectively on Saturday, but both felt the team had made a big step forward to solve its proposing problems thanks to the updates brought to Barcelona.

Hamilton said the updates gave Mercedes a “glimpse of hope” after struggling in the early part of the season, while Russell felt confident it would put the team more in the mix with Red Bull and Ferrari ahead.

Despite seeing Charles Leclerc take pole and Carlos Sainz qualify third on Saturday, Russell was upbeat about Mercedes’ chances against the Ferraris in the race.

Russell explained that tyre degradation was set to be a decisive factor in the race, and while he expected Max Verstappen and Red Bull to hold an edge in the long runs, he was hopeful of Me

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