Mercedes driver George Russell has said that he is eyeing a podium push this afternoon at the Spanish Grand Prix, with him feeling as though Ferrari are in reach.

The Silver Arrows appear to have made some good strides in the right direction this weekend in Barcelona, with them bringing a handful of upgrades to try and get on top of their bouncing issue.

Indeed, the car looked a lot more settled at high-speed down the straights and that is certainly cause for optimism, with Russell qualifying 4th and Lewis Hamilton sitting in 6th place for this afternoon's race.

In front of Russell; Charles Leclerc, Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz make up the top three, and the Briton believes the Scuderia drivers could at least be in reach as he aims for a return to the podium at the Circuit de Catalunya:

“I think it's going to be a chaotic race,” Russell said to the gathered press here in Spain.

“It's going to be a number of stops for everybody.

“I think Max looks much quicker than the rest but I think we've got a real shot against Ferrari, unless they've found some gains overnight.

“I think we'll be in the mix with them. So we'll be going for it and try and fight for a podium.”

Though Leclerc has looked very quick over the course of the weekend - he has topped every session so far - it's Verstappen's long-run pace that is looking strongest of all, and that is what is most crucial to a Grand Prix victory.

George Russell

BARCELONA, SPAIN - MAY 21: Sparks fly behind George Russell of Great Britain driving the (63) Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team W13 on track during qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Spain at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on May 21, 2022 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)

Indeed, that's why Russell is evidently feeling Ferrari are more in reach than the Dutchman this weekend, and we'll just have to see what he can produce come lights out this afternoon in Barcelona.

Evidently, though, he has been energised by the improvements that Mercedes have made and he'll be looking to use that to hit attack mode.