P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Mercedes are faced with its first major concern of 2026 as George Russell admits the team is struggling to cope with F1’s latest start procedures.
Mercedes is facing its first major concern of 2026 as George Russell acknowledges the team is struggling with Formula 1’s latest start procedures. Despite extensive pre-season testing, teams are still grappling with new challenges due to F1’s technical overhaul, particularly regarding the significant changes in the power unit configuration. The removal of MGU-H and introduction of a more powerful MGU-K have raised alarm across the grid, causing issues with turbo lag and launch control. Russell emphasized the importance of perfecting race starts for competitive success, expressing frustration over the team’s current struggles in this area. While Mercedes shows promise with a strong package, the focus is now on addressing the start performance issue before the season opener in March. Russell’s candid assessment highlights the urgency for Mercedes to find solutions and optimize their performance to avoid setbacks in the upcoming races.
