George Russell admits Mercedes is 'stumbling' over critical race start issues

George Russell has raised significant concerns about Mercedes' ability to launch its W17 car off the line, stating that raw pace will be irrelevant if the team continues to lose positions at the start. The driver conceded the team is currently "stumbling" over this fundamental issue, which was highlighted during practice starts in Bahrain where Lewis Hamilton excelled but Russell struggled dramatically.

Why it matters:

Race starts have become a critical and unpredictable variable in the new 2026 Formula 1 era due to major power unit changes. A team's ability to consistently execute clean launches could dictate race strategy and final results as much as outright car performance, making it a potential Achilles' heel for otherwise competitive packages like Mercedes.

The Details:

• The removal of the MGU-H from the hybrid power units has introduced pronounced turbo lag at lower revs, making the launch procedure more complex and less forgiving for all teams.
• In response to driver safety concerns, the FIA introduced a new procedure with flashing blue lights to give drivers more warning before the start sequence begins.
• Russell's Struggle: During practice, Russell experienced one of his worst-ever starts, spinning his tires and going sideways. He was overtaken by teammate Lewis Hamilton and Haas driver Oliver Bearman before even reaching Turn 1.
• Hamilton's Contrasting Performance: Demonstrating the variability, Lewis Hamilton successfully executed aggressive practice starts, famously launching from fifth to first in one simulation by overtaking four cars by Turn 1.
• Competitor Perspective: Oliver Bearman in the Ferrari-powered Haas reported being "very happy" with his starts, noting that while the procedure is more complicated, his team has managed it quite well, though variability between a good and bad start is now much higher.

What's Next:

Mercedes has a narrow window to diagnose and rectify its launch procedure before the competitive season begins. Russell's comments indicate this is the team's top priority, as stumbling at the start could undermine their entire weekend's work. The significant spread in performance between teammates Hamilton and Russell during practice also suggests the issue may be as much about driver procedure and system optimization as it is about pure car hardware, pointing to an intense focus on simulations and practice ahead of the first race.