Russell Confident Mercedes Has Learned from Past Pitfalls to Avoid Development Traps in 2025
As Formula 1 gears up for the 2025 season, George Russell is confident that Mercedes has turned a corner in its development process. After a season filled with highs and lows in 2024, Russell believes that the team’s approach to its new car will be vastly improved, allowing them to avoid the development traps that have plagued them in recent seasons.
Mercedes has been grappling with the introduction of ground effect rules in 2022, which shifted the landscape for all F1 teams, leaving Mercedes struggling to find consistent performance. Despite the challenges, Mercedes managed to claim some notable victories—Russell’s surprising win in Austria and Lewis Hamilton’s triumphs at Silverstone and Spa-Francorchamps showcased the team’s potential. However, their performance was often inconsistent, with Mercedes sitting comfortably behind the top teams early in the season, only to surge back into contention at moments like the Las Vegas GP.
Russell, speaking to media ahead of the F1 75 event in London, emphasized that the team has adopted a more disciplined approach in developing its new car. “I think it’s going to be a significant change this year to be honest,” Russell stated. “Every year we’ve uncovered a problem, we’ve solved it, and it’s created a new one. We’ve probably been a lot more disciplined with every change that we’ve made.”
Russell believes that this year, Mercedes is applying a more thorough approach with extensive simulator work to avoid the issues that have plagued them in the past. The team is keen to learn from previous mistakes and ensure that they don’t fall into the same traps that have led to setbacks in the past seasons. Russell pointed out that even though there’s no way to gauge how the other teams are developing, Mercedes’ forward-thinking approach gives them confidence.
The Forward-Thinking Approach Mercedes Is Using in 2025
Russell expanded on how the team is actively avoiding the same reactive development strategy that led to trouble in previous years. “In the past, we were so focused on solving the problem at hand, that we weren’t looking ahead to what future issues it could create,” Russell explained.
A key part of Mercedes’ development philosophy for the W16 is understanding how any change in one part of the car affects the other. For example, if improvements are made to the front of the car, the rear might lose balance. Russell said that the team has to be careful not to go too far in one direction, as that could create new problems, and this balance is critical for Mercedes in their quest for consistent performance.
He went on to clarify: “So we’ve been forward-thinking much more than we have done in the past. These are the fundamental changes we’re going to make. We think it’s going to do X. Is that going to be a problem at these races? And if so, how are we going to drive around it?”
Mercedes is taking a calculated approach, addressing one problem at a time while being mindful of how their solutions will impact the car’s overall performance. Russell’s insight into the team’s shift in focus highlights the importance of thoroughness and planning ahead in a sport as complex as F1.
Mercedes Hopes for a Competitive 2025 Season
As the new season approaches, Mercedes is aiming to reclaim its place at the top of the F1 standings. After finishing behind Red Bull and McLaren in 2024, the team is eager to regain its competitive edge and challenge for both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships.
With their forward-thinking development strategy and Russell’s fresh perspective, Mercedes hopes to avoid the inconsistency that has held them back in recent years. As Russell noted, this year will be a crucial test for the team, but the confidence within the garage is palpable.
“We’re going to have a really interesting season,” Russell concluded. The focus is on finding those performance gains through careful development and learning from past mistakes, ensuring that Mercedes is in the best possible position to take on its rivals in 2025.