Mercedes "Finding More Gains In Past Two Weeks Than Found Over Whole Winter"

George Russell speaks out on Mercedes development.

Mercedes has faced a rocky start to the 2023 Formula One season, but driver George Russell is optimistic about the team’s future. The Brackley-based squad has been working hard to make significant improvements to their cars after a challenging 2022 season.

Russell shared that the team has "big changes" in the works, but fans won't see them just yet. He explained that the changes can't be implemented on the car this weekend, but in due course, they will see some big changes, and hopefully, the lap times will reflect that. He said:

“We’re here to fight for victories and for the championship and clearly we’re not in a position to do that, at the moment.

“But big changes are incoming - nothing that you’ll see on the car this weekend because, naturally, you can’t get this brought to the car that quickly.

“In due course, we will see some big changes and hopefully the lap times represent that."

“We’re working really hard at the moment with these changes, but I won’t give too much away."

The British driver went on to say that the team has been making more gains in the past two or three weeks than they found during the entire winter season. This is a positive sign that the team is heading in the right direction. He continued:

“We’re working really hard at the moment with these changes, but I won’t give too much away.

“We’re finding more gains in the past two or three weeks than we found in the whole winter by clearly developing in the wrong window.

“So it’s definitely heading in the right direction.”

Russell also shared his predictions for the Australian Grand Prix, where he hopes to get another P4 or fight for the podium. He acknowledged that Aston Martin would be a strong contender, but he believes that if they can fight with Aston and Ferrari again, it will be a good weekend.

“If we manage to get another P4 or fight for the podium, it will probably be exceeding the potential of the car.

“Aston will be really strong here. They seem to be the strongest car in medium-speed corners and there are plenty of those here in Melbourne.

“If we can fight with Aston and Ferrari again, that will be a good weekend.” 

Mercedes has a lot of work to do to catch up to their rivals, but with Russell's optimistic outlook and the team's determination, they have the potential to make significant progress in the upcoming races. Fans will be eagerly watching to see how the team performs and whether they can make a comeback in the championship standings.