Russell Puzzled as Las Vegas GP Curveball Prompts 'Close' Admission for Mercedes
George Russell admits Mercedes is in a "close" fight for a strong result at the Las Vegas GP, despite improving their car from last year. He emphasizes the tight competition among top drivers like Norris, Verstappen, and Leclerc, indicating that while Mercedes is in the mix, they're not a guaranteed frontrunner. Russell's practice times showed improvement before a red flag cut his FP2 short, setting the stage for a highly contested weekend.
George Russell admitted Mercedes is in contention for a strong result at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, despite acknowledging the tight competitive field. He emphasized that while the team has improved their car significantly since last year, the competition remains incredibly close.
Why it matters:
Mercedes' performance in Las Vegas is a critical indicator of their progress and potential as the season nears its end. Russell's cautious optimism highlights the fierce competition in F1, where marginal gains can make a significant difference. A strong showing could boost their morale and strategic planning for the upcoming season, while underperforming could raise questions about their current development trajectory.
The details:
- Competitive Landscape: Russell stated, "We are in the mix. We have to be realistic." This reflects the tight fight for top positions in qualifying and the race.
- Car Development: Mercedes has made substantial changes to their car since last year, aiming for improved performance and consistency. Russell believes the car is "definitely better" over the course of the season.
- Vegas Specifics: Despite improvements, Russell noted the car might not be "as competitive as we were 12 months ago here," suggesting the unique Las Vegas track characteristics might not perfectly suit their current setup.
- Tight Field: Russell specifically mentioned competitors like Lando Norris, Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc, and Kimi Antonelli, all showing strong pace in practice sessions, underscoring the narrow margins between teams.
- Practice Performance: Russell finished FP1 in ninth place and improved to seventh in FP2. However, his efforts to further improve were cut short by a red flag in the second practice session, preventing him from fully exploring the car's potential.
What's next:
As qualifying approaches, Mercedes will be looking to fine-tune their car setup to maximize their chances. Russell's admission of a "close" fight means every tenth of a second will count. The team will be analyzing the practice data intensely to find the crucial optimizations needed to compete at the front of the grid in what promises to be a highly contested Las Vegas Grand Prix.