Mercedes are in a ‘mess’ after making ‘mistakes’ trying to fix one problem on George Russell’s car

George Russell will look to deliver a bounce-back performance at the Spanish Grand Prix this weekend after the Mercedes racer failed to score a point in the Monaco GP.

The Principality saw the Briton finish outside of the top 10 for the first time this season last Sunday, as Russell had to settle for 11th place after a mechanical issue ruined his qualifying session at the Monaco GP. He had to accept P14 on the grid after failing to set a time in Q2.

Russell’s car ground to a halt in the tunnel early in Q2 owing to an electronic blackout, which saw his W16 lose power. The 27-year-old had posted the fifth-fastest time in Q1 on Saturday, during which Andrea Kimi Antonelli crashed so also only qualified in P15 for the Monaco GP.

Racing Bulls and Williams gaming F1’s two-stop rule for the Monaco GP also ensured Russell and Antonelli failed to climb through the order. Russell resorted to overtaking Alex Albon off the road in the Monaco GP to try and make progress, too, but drew a drive-through penalty.

Mercedes fear overheating their tyres ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona

Mercedes will now hope Russell and Antonelli can bounce back at the Spanish GP this week, as Red Bull and Ferrari moved to within four and five points of the Silver Arrows in the 2025 F1 constructors’ standings. Mercedes are second with 147 points, but 172 behind McLaren.

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Yet they have one problem which could jeopardise their chances at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya where temperatures of 19-32° are forecast for this Sunday. Auto Motor und Sport reports that Mercedes fear the W16 overheats its tyres since introducing upgrades at Imola.

Mercedes were even in a ‘mess’ at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix and Monaco GP trying to prevent Russell and Antonelli from overheating their tyres. The Silver Arrows tried a host of different set-ups, but their engineers kept making ‘mistakes’ which cost them performance.

George Russell produced his worst results of 2025 at Imola and in Monaco after Mercedes’ upgrades

Russell produced what was then his worst result of the 2025 Formula 1 season in the Emilia Romagna GP, as the Mercedes driver fell from third on the grid to P7 at Imola. He had taken a top-five position in every qualifying session, F1 Sprint and Grand Prix in the first six rounds.

Antonelli retired from the Emilia Romagna GP at Imola, as well as bowing out of qualifying in Q2 due to the 18-year-old’s lack of pace. It was far from the result that Mercedes wanted in Ferrari’s backyard after introducing their first major set of upgrades this year that weekend.

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Mercedes modified their front suspension leg fairings after mimicking McLaren’s to improve the airflow to the rear of the W16. The Silver Arrows also unveiled a new front wing at Imola designed to meet the FIA’s stricter flexi-front wing tests being introduced at the Spanish GP.

The front wing introduced at Imola is also designed to improve the onset flow to the rear of the W16, for which Mercedes also incorporated a reprofiled engine cover. Mercedes made a subtle modification to the coke bottle area to improve the flow to the rear wing and cooling.