The Mercedes team has been fighting a never-ending battle since 2022. The penultimate race of the 2021 season not only cost the eight-time Constructors’ Champions their chance at the world title but also seemed to diminish their winning edge. Since then, the team has been in a slump, with endless technical woes. James Allison described that the Mercedes F1 project is similar to a small duvet, as some areas are always left uncovered.
In 2024, the challenges continue, even amid signs of a potential revival. The team won three races in the season, but since the summer break, it has again gone downhill. Recently, during the US GP, the technical team introduced a mega upgrade. However, both Lewis Hamilton and George Russell beached their W15, sustaining damage. Later in Mexico GP, George Russell collided with Oscar Piastri, yet again damaging the teh F1 car. The Silver Arrows are trying to fix the cost cap as the season nears its end.
George Russell Dismissed Mercedes Budget Cap Concern
George Russell managed to qualify fifth, just four-tenths of a second behind Carlos Sainz’s pole time. In response to team principal Toto Wolff’s comments regarding budget cap concerns, Russell reassured that there are no immediate worries. He explained that the team always has a margin to work with and emphasized the importance of balancing investments in the current season against preparations for the next one.
Russell acknowledged that Mercedes may need to make some compromises for the remainder of the season, but he expressed his comfort with this strategy. Since the team is not in contention for the championship, he indicated that he would be fine continuing to use the old floor if it meant better positioning for the following year.
Despite using older components in his car, Russell was pleased with his performance, particularly after qualifying fifth on the grid in Mexico. He noted that he felt strong during his lap and was satisfied with the results, considering the limitations of his setup. With just a tenth of a second separating him from the third-fastest time, Russell believed that P5 was the best they could realistically achieve. He also mentioned that the top three teams might face challenges during the race, potentially working in Mercedes’ favor.
George Russell Confident That Current Upgrade Is Effective
George Russell reflected on his performance during the race, noting that he had a strong stint. However, after overtaking Oscar Piastri, he sustained significant front-wing damage, which likely cost him a couple of tenths per lap. Despite this setback, he expressed satisfaction with the team’s overall results, finishing in P4 and P5, which exceeded their expectations for the day.
Looking ahead to the upcoming race in Brazil, Russell maintained his confidence in the effectiveness of the upgrades that teammate Lewis Hamilton had tested. He indicated that the team has no reason to believe the upgrades aren’t performing as intended, which bodes well for their chances in the next race.