Mercedes is entering the 2025 Formula 1 season as an outsider to the championship, having only won four Grands Prix last year and finished fourth-best in the Constructors.
It has been a difficult period for Mercedes after a tough start to the current regulation set in 2022, only to go winless in 2023, before things started to pick up at the middle of 2024.
Mercedes made a breakthrough with its front wing design and other upgrades at last year’s Canadian Grand Prix, although it remains to be seen whether they will be impacted most by the new FIA technical directive issued out to teams involving flexible front wings.
George Russell will be hopeful the team makes strides over the winter break to catch up to rivals Red Bull and Ferrari, having slipped back dramatically at the end of 2024. Speaking at the F1 75 event in a press conference, he told Motorsport Total what Mercedes must do to challenge for the title.
George Russell says Mercedes must not fall into ‘new trap’ with 2025 challenger
Russell is attending the F1 75 event in London, taking place at the O2 Arena, where all teams will be unveiling their liveries for the 2025 season.
The Mercedes driver outlined how he hopes Mercedes do not fall into the same ‘trap’ that they did with previous cars for 2025.
“Every year we have uncovered a problem, solved it, but created a new one with it,” said Russell. He claimed they are “much more disciplined” to prevent the same from happening with the W16.
The team has checked everything on their simulators to stop them “falling into a new trap” said Russell. “I think after five laps [in the new car] you know if you have a good season ahead of you or not.”
“And in recent years, we already knew after the first five laps that we wouldn’t fight for the championship,” said Russell.
Mercedes might have finally fixed car problem just after Lewis Hamilton leaves
There are ‘positive sounds’ coming from Mercedes Brackley base at the moment, as they gear up to launch the W16 later in February.
The car will make its on-track debut on the 25th February just before pre-season testing begins in Bahrain.
READ MORE: All you need to know about Mercedes F1 Team from team principal to lineage
Russell is rumoured to be ‘very pleased’ with the Mercedes after driving it on the simulator, after the team found a fix to their problems with last years car.
They have also managed to get the car down to the weight limit, which will unlock a lot more lap time that they didn’t have for 2025.
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