Mercedes are expecting a strong challenge from McLaren at the flowing Sepang track this weekend as its characteristics should suit the world champions’ car.

But the team have their first major upgrade for some time and hope that will bring them into contention.

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.

“But now finally I feel I’m in a place I can fight for victory week in week out.

“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.”

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.

He has had to “consciously adjust” his driving style.

“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.

“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.”

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.

The Italian said: “Last weekend was probably there worst weekend from me of the season.

“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.

“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.”