P1racenews AI automatic summary:
George Russell does not believe that a Mercedes victory is a “slam dunk” at the Las Vegas Grand Prix — and he has explained why.
George Russell is emphasizing the need for Mercedes to be “realistic” regarding their chances at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, in order to temper expectations after their dominant performance last year. Despite improvements to the W16, Russell believes it may not be as strong in the unique conditions of the Mojave Desert. He acknowledges that while the team is still competitive, it faces strong challenges from rivals like Lando Norris, Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc, and Kimi Antonelli. Russell finished seventh in a disrupted FP2 session but highlights the tight competition where other teams may have made adjustments to match Mercedes’ previous success in Vegas. He cautions against assuming a guaranteed victory, stressing the importance of staying realistic about their performance level.
