Russell confident that Mercedes will continue to progress in 2024

F1 News

george russell is confident mercedes will continue to progress in barcelona
23 June at 10:24
  • Olly Darcy
  • Editor

Since the regulation change came to the world of Formula 1 in 2022, Mercedes were the biggest team to lose out. From 2014 to 2021, the German team won the Constructors' Championship, and the Drivers' Championship was also won by Mercedes drivers from 2014 to 2020. However, since the 2022 rule change, they have only stood on the top step once, trying new and improved upgrades to break through and challenge at the front, but never being able to do so. 

Mercedes have had a lot of failed experiments since 2022, most notably the 'sidepodless' car. That did not work out at all and meant they were forced back to square one again. The German team have had a lot of 'false dawns' in that time, believing they have sorted their problems by showing great pace in one race, but not being able to do so in the next.

However, in 2024, it seems that their fortunes have changed. Thanks to updates bright at the Canadian Grand Prix, George Russell took pole position and showed the pace that the W15 can bring. He and Lewis Hamilton finish in P3 and P4 in Montreal, and that is where they will start for the Spanish Grand Prix on Sunday, hoping to have moved up the grid and fight for race wins once again.

Why Russell is confident in Mercedes

After Russell qualified in P4 at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, he was asked whether these upgrades were just another 'false dawn' for Mercedes, or whether they have actually changed the nature of the W15 into a potential race winner. The Brit answered: "You never know 100 per cent. But this is for sure the most confident we have been over the last three years of what we've brought to the car. I think this is natural as well. We're all gaining experience."

Mistakes from Russell in Montreal cost him the chance to challenge for the win, but he knows that there is potential in his car to add to his 2022 victory at the Brazilan Grand Prix.

"We're all three years into these regs," continued Russell. "I think we all know what makes a good race car in this sort of era. I think it's proven how tight it is out there with the top four teams. So, it's going to be probably in the coming races, marginal differences will make a big difference in terms of your grid position. But that's what Formula 1 should be about."