Mercedes made a remarkable impact at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, dominating every aspect of the weekend. The team swept all three practice sessions, secured pole position, and went on to win both qualifying and the race. George Russell, who started from pole, delivered a confident performance to convert it into a victory. Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton made a strong charge from 10th place on the grid to finish in second, showcasing Mercedes’ strong pace.
Looking ahead to the Qatar Grand Prix, where McLaren was expected to shine due to the high-speed corners at the Lusail circuit, Mercedes is optimistic about continuing their strong form. They believe they can build on their successful performance in Las Vegas and remain competitive in Qatar.
Mercedes Eyeing Another Victory In Qatar
Lando Norris believes Ferrari will also be a strong contender for the Constructors’ Championship, acknowledging their improved performance. While Mercedes was the favorite going into the weekend, especially after their strong showing last year, Ferrari has made significant strides in fixing the issues they faced previously. Norris expects a tight battle, with Mercedes and Ferrari appearing to be in better form now.
George Russell shared a similar view, emphasizing that the smooth surface of the Qatar circuit plays to Mercedes’ strengths. He revealed that the team had focused on this race during the triple-header and had even planned to use an older engine in Las Vegas to preserve their fresher one for Qatar. Reflecting on their impressive performance in Vegas, Russell explained that a combination of factors, including the smooth tarmac and cooler temperatures, contributed to their success. He believes that Mercedes gets their car in the right setup exceptionally fast.
George Russell Wants Mercedes To Make A Broader Downforce Window In 2025
The absence of low-speed traction zones, an area where Mercedes has faced difficulties, should help the team. Additionally, the lack of slow corners—where the drivers have struggled with understeer and the need to rotate the car—will reduce tire overheating issues that have plagued the W15. The resurfaced, smooth track also provides a surface that doesn’t stress the tires as much, which is another advantage.
Another important factor is the cooler temperatures compared to last year, as Mercedes cars tend to perform better in such conditions. While the team has shown it can perform well in these favorable conditions, Russell emphasized that Mercedes needs to find a way to be competitive in all conditions. He pointed out that on bumpy circuits, the team has to make adjustments to soften the car, but this approach does not suit their car’s operating characteristics, and they lose more performance than their rivals in such conditions.
Looking ahead, Russell stressed that the team needs to work on making the car’s downforce window broader for next season. Currently, the car’s performance is too sensitive to certain conditions, leading to mistakes throughout the season. Addressing this issue could help the team achieve more consistent results across different tracks.
