P1racenews AI automatic summary:
George Russell has dismissed that Mercedes’ recent dip in competitiveness should provide the team with cause for concern heading into the 2025 F1 season.
Mercedes seemed to have adapted well to the ground effect regulations before the summer break, winning three out of four races. However, they struggled to maintain their momentum after the break, with only one podium in the last five races. Despite bringing a significant update to the US Grand Prix, both Russell and Hamilton faced high-speed incidents related to the upgrades. While Mercedes won’t have further major updates, ensuring the current developments work well is crucial for their future direction. Russell dismissed concerns about being on the back foot next season, emphasizing the need to improve setup margins. Hamilton acknowledged the challenges of the team’s performance fluctuations and expressed hope for a better showing in the upcoming races.
