George Russell admits Mercedes want options to resolve the most important weak spot plaguing their 2025 F1 automobile after a tough Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.
The Briton was unable to transform an excellent qualifying lap for third on the grid into one other podium end after shedding out on technique and missing race tempo as he slipped to seventh in Sunday’s 63-lap race at Imola.
A disappointing afternoon for Mercedes was compounded by Bologna native Kimi Antonelli being compelled to retire from his first residence F1 race after encountering a throttle problem.
Sizzling races have proved to be Mercedes’ Achilles’ heel thus far this 12 months and Russell acknowledged the group have a basic downside with their W16 that wants addressing to keep away from related struggles down the road.
“We have been simply useless sluggish,” Russell bemoaned after the race.
“The developments are fairly clear. When it is scorching, we’re sluggish. When it is chilly, we’re fast, That was the identical final 12 months.
“We have been doing every little thing with the setup to try to discover options, however there’s clearly one thing extra basic within the automobile.
“It is not the primary race for this season the place we have been slower than Ferrari, even slower or the identical tempo as Williams, however we have simply in some way managed to get a outcome out of it on these events.
“However at this time we have been very fortunate to complete P7 in all honesty.”
The ‘most difficult Sunday’ Russell can bear in mind
Russell, who has misplaced floor within the championship battle after claiming 4 podiums throughout the opening six races of the season, stated it’s crucial that Mercedes discover a treatment.
“I would not say we’re operating out of concepts to resolve the tyres, however as I stated, it is form of baked into the automobile,” he defined.
“You take a look at Ferrari a number of years in the past, they was mega fast in qualifying and sluggish within the race. Now they’ve sort of carried out a U-turn, they usually additionally do not actually perceive why that’s.
“So we have to discover a higher compromise, particularly forward of the following race. We’re approaching summer time and it does not actually bode effectively for us. We have to assume fast.”
Russell went on to label the race as Mercedes’ “most difficult Sunday we’ve had in so long as I can bear in mind” in a submit on social media.
