Bottas calls Mercedes 'undriveable' via on-board radio

We're not used to seeing Mercedes in trouble, and even though the team had no major problems on Friday, it was clear that the car is still not where it needs to be. Valtteri Bottas even called the Mercedes car 'undriveable' during the second free practice session.

Not a trouble-free start for Mercedes

Bottas had to make do with fifth place in the second practice session, where he finished second in the first. At the end of the session he even said on the radio that the car was 'undrivable', something he confirmed to Hamilton afterwards via Sky Sports.

“The car was undriveable at times, ” Bottas said. "But we have to remember that it's Friday and that's why we have free practice."

So it will remain to be seen whether Mercedes will be able to put the problems behind them on Saturday and Sunday, but it seems clear that the car is not in the best of shape. Both Bottas and Lewis Hamilton had multiple moments like this during both sessions:

Das ist dann wohl, was @ MercedesAMGF1 mit "mid-corner understeer" meint. Hat beim Neither test nor else ausgesehen, da war das Heck lose. #BahrainGP # F12021 # F1 # Formel1 pic.twitter.com/8Tn2CrYe90

- Christian Nimmervoll (@MST_ChristianN) March 26, 2021