George Russell expresses optimism as Mercedes prepares for a significant car upgrade at the upcoming Bahrain Grand Prix. After securing his first win in seven races at Baku, where he achieved a 'Grand Slam' by leading every lap, Russell aims to continue his winning momentum.

Despite his recent success, Russell acknowledges that he still trails teammate Kimi Antonelli, who leads the Drivers' Championship by 81 points following his victory in Madrid. Russell managed to close the gap by 15 points after Antonelli's fifth-place finish in Baku, fueling his determination for back-to-back wins.

Russell feels more confident in his driving, stating, "I never really felt in a position to fight for the victories... but now, finally, I feel I'm in a place where I can fight for victory week in week out." He emphasizes the importance of enjoying the races as he prepares for the challenges ahead, particularly with the new upgrade expected to enhance his performance.

Antonelli, however, remains in control of the championship despite a difficult weekend in Baku. He reflects on his experience and the lessons learned, admitting, "Last weekend was probably the worst weekend from me... I need to always be 100 percent."

Both drivers anticipate that the upgrade will improve their performance at the Sepang International Circuit, a track neither has driven on before. Russell notes, "It's a good step... hoping it's going to propel us back to the front on these types of circuits."

With the Bahrain GP set to take place on October 4, the stage is set for an exciting showdown between Russell and Antonelli, as the pressure mounts in the championship race.