George Russell Credits Measured Approach for 2024 Mercedes Breakthrough

George Russell has revealed that a key to his successful 2024 season was learning to stop pushing beyond the car's limits, a lesson learned the hard way while trying to match Lewis Hamilton in 2023. This more measured approach, which he admits initially 'bit him in the ass,' allowed him to deliver more consistent results and secure his maiden victories with Mercedes.

Why it matters:

Russell's evolution from an aggressive, sometimes reckless driver to a mature, calculating leader is crucial for Mercedes' future. As the team's clear number one with a rookie teammate, his ability to provide objective, calm feedback is invaluable for guiding development and maximizing the performance of the package, especially as they fight to close the gap to Red Bull and McLaren.

The details:

• The 2023 Experiment: Russell admits he deliberately tried to "go beyond the limit" against Hamilton, preferring to risk failure for a "highlight result" rather than settling for a safe podium.
• The Backfire: This over-driving led to a difficult season, with Russell finishing 8th in the championship with just two podiums, far behind Hamilton's 3rd place with six.
• The 2024 Adjustment: For the following season, Russell "reined it back a little bit," focusing on consistency and working within the car's capabilities.
• The Payoff: The new strategy yielded significantly better results: a 4th-place finish in the standings and breakthrough wins in Canada and Singapore.

Looking ahead:

With Kimi Antonelli as his new teammate, Russell is embracing a team leader role. He believes his "rational and objective" personality is a major asset, allowing him to provide clear-headed analysis in engineering meetings. This approach helps prevent the team from overreacting to single bad weekends and ensures development plans are based on solid reasoning, not emotional theories.