P1racenews AI automatic summary:
George Russell reveals urgent issue Mercedes must fix before Australian GP
George Russell, the Mercedes F1 driver, has voiced concerns about a potential obstacle that could hinder Mercedes’ title charge in 2026.
Mercedes is expected to be the team to beat this season after discovering a performance-enhancing trick in their new power unit, potentially providing a significant advantage.
However, this trick may be banned by August 2026, jeopardizing Mercedes’ advantage. In addition, Mercedes has shown impressive reliability during pre-season testing.
Russell highlighted challenges with the starting procedure at Bahrain pre-season testing, with Ferrari showcasing strong starts. This issue could impact Mercedes’ performance at the upcoming Australian Grand Prix.
Despite some concerns, Mercedes remains positive, with Russell and team boss Toto Wolff focusing on downplaying attention on their team and highlighting competitors like Red Bull and Ferrari.
