The German producer has endured a bruising begin to the 2024 season, with it but to complete on the rostrum and at the moment mendacity in fourth within the constructors’ championship – only one level forward of Aston Martin.
However whereas on paper its state of affairs doesn’t look promising, Russell thinks that Mercedes’ destiny has been exacerbated by tiny components – and a comparatively minor uplift in tempo would change it dramatically.
“I feel small issues make an enormous distinction to the general outcome,” mentioned Russell forward of the Chinese language Grand Prix.
“I feel an additional tenth or two in qualifying and you’re 4 positions increased on the grid. We would not [in Japan] have then made the daring alternative of beginning on the laborious, which, with the knowledge we had on the time, was completely the right choice. The race would have panned out very, very in a different way.
“We’re in a battle of effective margins proper now. We have been on the mistaken finish of that for the previous few race weekends, at two circuits that I do not assume actually go well with the traits of that automotive.”
With the Mercedes W15 struggling towards the opposition in high-speed corners, its weak spot has been uncovered at current venues like Jeddah, Australia and Suzuka.
George Russell, Mercedes-AMG F1 Workforce
Photograph by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images
That’s the reason Russell sees this weekend’s Chinese language GP as maybe a greater indicator of Mercedes’ potential, with its profile being extra geared in the direction of medium- and low-speed corners.
“I feel this might be a very good take a look at this weekend to see the place we do fall out, in comparison with McLaren as nicely,” he defined.
“They appear to be exceptionally robust within the high-speed corners and a bit weak within the low-speed corners. There’s much more potential to be proven. I do not assume we have now optimised the automotive and its set-up within the final couple of races. That is what we’re homing in on.”
Workforce-mate Lewis Hamilton mentioned Mercedes wouldn’t be working any upgrades in Shanghai this weekend however was carrying ahead some essential set-up classes that it uncovered in Japan.
“Nothing has modified with our automotive, so it should be the identical automotive this weekend,” he mentioned. “However we perceive it somewhat bit extra.
“Wanting on the final weekend, we did make enhancements. So, if we may return, we’d have completed issues in a different way, and that’s the good thing about hindsight and expertise.
“We are going to try to carry that right here this weekend and see if we will implement a few of these adjustments that we’d have maybe completed additional in Suzuka. Hopefully that may discover us a little bit of efficiency.”