\n<\/p>\n
Mercedes are expecting a strong challenge from McLaren at the flowing Sepang track this weekend as its characteristics should suit the world champions’ car.<\/p>\n
But the team have their first major upgrade for some time and hope that will bring them into contention.<\/p>\n
Asked whether another strong performance at this weekend’s Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia could change the psychology of the title fight, Russell said: “I’ve never really felt in a position to fight for the victories because my performances weren’t strong enough.<\/p>\n
“But now finally I feel I’m in a place I can fight for victory week in week out.<\/p>\n
“Of course there is a big deficit in the championship, but there is a third of a season to go and still so much can happen. I am just going to go race by race. I feel more at one with the car and hopefully this upgrade will play into my favour a bit more. So bring it on.”<\/p>\n
Russell started the season as championship favourite but Antonelli took control early on as Russell struggled to get to grips with the Mercedes designed for this year’s all-new car and engine rules.<\/p>\n
He has had to “consciously adjust” his driving style.<\/p>\n
“I went through a few races where I was having to think how to make those adjustments, whereas now it’s all just a bit more intuitive and a bit more natural,” Russell said.<\/p>\n
“So what I set out to achieve, in terms of getting the car [into] a slightly better window, I’m now achieving without having to think about it as much. So I can just focus on driving fast.”<\/p>\n
Antonelli had a difficult weekend in Baku, with a crash in qualifying leaving him 16th on the grid, from where he recovered to finished fifth.<\/p>\n
The Italian said: “Last weekend was probably there worst weekend from me of the season.<\/p>\n
“But still good learning from the weekend and was also a very strange race for me in Baku because it was one of those races where I consciously tried not to take any risks and just drive under the limit which was very weird but it was what I needed on Sunday. I needed a clean result after a very disrupted weekend.<\/p>\n
“I wasn’t happy after the race but I learned the most important learning was I need to be always 100% because if I don’t try to do everything right in my power then nothing is going to come my way.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n