Russell is optimistic that Mercedes can enter the summer break on a positive note. George Russell is relying on lower temperatures and an upgraded car to bring Mercedes closer to McLaren and Red Bull at the upcoming Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix. In the previous race at the Hungaroring, Lewis Hamilton continued Mercedes’ impressive performance by finishing third, extending their streak of podium finishes to five. However, Hamilton was unable to replicate his win at Silverstone as he trailed 14.8s behind race winner Oscar Piastri, even though Lando Norris slowed down to relinquish a six-second lead. Mercedes had anticipated that the rear-limited circuit characteristics and hotter temperatures would put them at a disadvantage compared to their rivals. Russell, who achieved victory in Austria last month, has disclosed that Mercedes will continue their relentless development with updated components at Spa-Francorchamps. Nevertheless, the British driver emphasizes that the team’s relative competitiveness in Budapest has demonstrated that track conditions will play a significant role in determining their chances. “I think Budapest confirmed what we already knew before the weekend, that we seem to perform better in cooler conditions,” Russell admitted. “So, going into tomorrow [Friday], I believe there is rain in the forecast. We have some exciting upgrades. We want to see if they can take us to the next level, following what we introduced a few races ago in Canada. And we aim to challenge McLaren and Red Bull. That’s what Formula 1 is all about. We want to be in that battle, and it would be fantastic to be a part of it this weekend.”
Russell acknowledges that Mercedes’ difficulties during the ground effect era in the early stages of this season raised doubts within the team. However, the team’s resurgence has eliminated those concerns and given Russell hope that Mercedes is making progress for the upcoming season.
“It’s a really thrilling period for us,” he expressed. “There were moments over the past two and a half years where we questioned whether our hard work, dedication, and sacrifices would ever pay off in bringing Mercedes-Benz back to the top.
“Having already secured two victories this year is a significant accomplishment for the team, especially considering our starting point in Bahrain. We see other teams facing challenges with their car upgrades, which may not be delivering the expected results.
“We believe we’re on an exhilarating journey and aim to end the first half of the season on a positive note before the summer break. We are confident that we’re on the right path and there is great anticipation for the second half of this season and the next.
“So, it’s a thrilling time for us, and it’s also a fantastic time for the sport,” Russell concluded, referring to the recent trend of five different winners in the past six races.
