George Russell believes Mercedes “overcompensated” with this year’s car after a disappointing qualifying session at the Miami Grand Prix.
Mercedes improved the event this weekend, but both Russell and Lewis Hamilton were eliminated in the second part of sprint qualifying and were unable to score points in the sprint.
They improved in qualifying on Saturday but were more than eight tenths behind pole-sitter Max Verstappen as Russell qualified seventh and Hamilton eighth.
Twelve months ago, Mercedes abandoned its car concept without sidepods and then made further big changes over the winter to move closer to the top.
The first six events show that hasn’t happened, as the team endures its worst start to the season since 2011.
“The stopwatch doesn’t lie. We recognize that some of the changes we have made since the end of last year may have been overcompensated by some of our development efforts,” Russell told Sky Sports F1.
“We now have restrictions on driving and these are completely different restrictions than 12 months ago.
“We put so much work into solving the problems and we somehow went too far in that direction. We know we have to improve, and quickly.”
Russell: Mercedes knows how to solve problems
It’s not entirely clear what limitations Russell is referring to, as this year’s Mercedes was slower in all areas compared to Red Bull and Ferrari.
Mercedes has not gotten to grips with the current ground effect regulations introduced in 2022.
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George Russell leads Martin Brundle through the tight curves of the Miami International Autodrome racetrack
Initially, the data measured in the wind tunnel did not correlate with performance on the racetrack, and the team also had to contend with a rebound effect, known as porpoising.
Russell insists Mercedes, which won an eighth consecutive constructors’ title between 2014 and 2021, “definitely knows” how to solve its problems.
“When we look at the data, we understand why we are in the position we are in right now. When we looked at the data, we understood why we were in the same position,” he added.
“Unfortunately, we probably overcompensated to solve last year’s problems and went from that extreme to the other extreme and we have to kind of rewind and find ourselves halfway.”
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Sky F1’s Ted Kravitz reflects on all the key talking points from qualifying at the Miami Grand Prix
“If new upgrades take eight weeks to get into the car, you learn that problem in race one, race two… you can’t just bring an upgrade to the next race.”
“You have to put it in the wind tunnel, you have to design it, you have to draw it, you have to build it and suddenly you are in the middle of the season.”
“That’s why it’s so difficult to suddenly make progress when you’re on the decline. Everyone expects it tomorrow. We want it tomorrow too, but that’s the reality in Formula 1.”
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Miami Grand Prix qualifying highlights
Hamilton: Mercedes has difficulty understanding the tires
The W15 was very inconsistent from session to session and sometimes even lap to lap, as Hamilton showed in qualifying when he set the third fastest time in the second qualifying, but went half a second slower in the third qualifying.
Hamilton says the track temperature was similar throughout qualifying in Miami, it was just an inability to deal with the soft tires, which caused performance fluctuations.
“These tires are so sensitive. Trying to get the tires working and reaching their maximum potential is something we struggle with,” said the seven-time world champion.
“Then we had a glimmer of hope in the second quarter, then we were nowhere in the third quarter. Overall it was a much better day. We made progress in the sprint and then in qualifying, and the start to the third quarter was positive.”
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Lewis Hamilton loses a place to Yuki Tsunoda after Kevin Magnussen went off the track to defend his position
“Q3 just wasn’t really great, but I’m grateful I got in there. It’s hard for us to be eight tenths behind. We’re fighting the Haas and I don’t really know if that’s the true speed of our car or if it’s the tires.
“I think there are a lot of things about these tires that we struggle with… we haven’t been able to use them all year round.”
The Mercedes duo have the McLarens of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris right in front of them on the grid and Russell will be hoping they can challenge the Woking-based team.
“I’m assuming I’m looking forward and hoping there’s no pressure from behind. We have to accept that we are in seventh and eighth place at the moment,” said Russell.
“We are one step behind Ferrari and McLaren, a big step behind Red Bull. The result we showed in qualifying was the maximum, but I am confident that we can take a step forward.”
Sky Sports F1’s live Miami GP schedule
Sunday, May 5th
6:05 p.m.: F1 Academy Race 2
7:30 p.m.: Preparation for the Grand Prix Sunday Miami GP*
9 p.m.: The MIAMI GRAND PRIX*
11 p.m.: Checkered flag: Miami GP reaction*
Midnight: Ted’s Notebook*
*also live on Sky Sports Main Event
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