Formula 1 News: Russell Confident Mercedes’ Pace Improvement is “Real” and Sustained

George Russell believes that Mercedes’ impressive performance at the Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix is a genuine step forward, elevating the team back into contention at the front of the grid. Following a challenging start to the season, Mercedes has been working aggressively to develop its W15, and the introduction of a revised front wing at Monaco has helped to overcome previous balance struggles.

Russell’s confidence in the team’s pace was evident in his practice sessions, which ultimately led to securing pole position. Although he dropped to third place due to small errors, he is convinced that he would have been in the running for the win had those mistakes not occurred.

The British driver acknowledges that Red Bull has struggled in recent races, but is cautious about Mercedes’ chances to compete with them on more traditional tracks. However, Russell is adamant that the pace increase seen in Montreal is not a surprise to the team, given the data and numbers from the factory.

“I think Red Bull have had, you know, it’s no secret, they’ve struggled a bit with their car these last three races,” Russell said. “So I think we need to see how their performance turns out in Barcelona, which is a little bit more of a conventional circuit.”

Russell is optimistic that Mercedes can continue to be in the fight with McLaren and Ferrari, and eventually challenge Red Bull for the top spot. “I think our performance step is true and it’s real. And I think we can be in this fight with McLaren,” he said.

The Formula 1 calendar now moves to Barcelona, where Russell hopes to see Mercedes maintain its pace. “Barcelona is going to be interesting for everybody, but I’m confident we can be in the fight,” he added.

In the Canadian Grand Prix, Russell led the opening stages but lost his position due to mistakes, allowing Verstappen to pass. However, he fought back to secure a podium finish, overtaking Oscar Piastri and teammate Lewis Hamilton in the process.

The battle with Hamilton was particularly intense, with Russell praising the seven-time champion’s fairness and sportsmanship. “When you’re racing one of the greats, you know that you can trust them. That was really great to see at the end,” he said.

For Russell, the motivation to push harder comes from his mistakes earlier in the race. “Those last three laps, I was so focused to get back on the podium because I felt like I let the team down a bit,” he admitted.

With the Formula 1 standings still closely contested, Russell’s confidence in Mercedes’ pace is a significant development. As the season enters its next phase, it will be fascinating to see if Russell’s optimism is backed up by results. Will Mercedes be able to sustain its pace and challenge Red Bull for the championship? The Formula 1 news will continue to unfold in the coming weeks.

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