P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Mercedes is back in the fight but can it challenge Red Bull in Europe where it is expected to pull away again?
George Russell believes Mercedes has made significant progress and will now be able to challenge McLaren and Ferrari more frequently in Formula 1 races. However, he anticipates Red Bull to pull ahead once the F1 season returns to Europe. Despite leading in the Canadian Grand Prix and getting on the podium, Russell was hindered by small errors and dropped to fifth place at one point. He was faster than Max Verstappen during the race, even though the latter won. Russell expects Red Bull to regain their usual advantage when racing in Europe. The recent upgrades to the Mercedes W15, including a new front wing, have boosted performance and convinced Russell that competing with McLaren and Ferrari regularly is achievable. Russell’s impressive overtake on teammate Lewis Hamilton to secure a podium finish showcased his trust in battling the seven-time world champion.
