P1racenews AI automatic summary:
George Russell has highlighted the “big step backwards” Mercedes has taken over the second quarter of the F1 season.
George Russell has observed a worrying decline of Mercedes moving towards the midfield in recent F1 races, contrasting their strong start to the current season.
He expressed disappointment at the significant backward progress Mercedes has made since achieving four podium finishes in the first six races of the year.
Despite claiming a remarkable victory at the Canadian Grand Prix, Mercedes has struggled to secure additional podiums, with speculations surrounding the future of their drivers Max Verstappen being rumored as a potential candidate.
While it appears Russell and Antonelli will continue with Mercedes in 2026, the team needs to enhance the performance of the W16 car to attract the four-time F1 champion away from Red Bull.
The current form of Mercedes is a cause for concern for Russell, who acknowledged the team’s poor showing at Spa-Francorchamps, with both him and Antonelli struggling in qualifying.
Russell highlighted the team’s need to analyze the decline in podium finishes compared to the earlier races of the season and address the challenges faced in recent rounds.
