P1racenews AI automatic summary:
George Russell has claimed the challenging period Mercedes has endured in F1 was “needed” to help the team “break the mould” before the 2026 regulation change.
George Russell, who previously raced for Williams, moved to Mercedes in 2022 after the team’s remarkable streak of eight Constructors’ titles. Despite outscoring Lewis Hamilton twice in three seasons, Russell’s success has been hindered by Mercedes’ struggles with changes to technical regulations. As he becomes the team leader alongside new teammate Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Russell sees positives in Mercedes’ challenges as they prepare for a major rule change in 2026. Russell remains optimistic about Mercedes’ potential to win championships and is excited for the upcoming seasons filled with hard work and dedication to success. Despite setbacks, such as in Las Vegas in 2024, Russell believes Mercedes can be competitive and aims for a title battle if their car performs well. With a motivated team and a determination to succeed, Russell believes that Mercedes can achieve greatness in the near future, drawing inspiration from their previous victories.
