Mercedes Intensifies Efforts to Enhance Race Starts

George Russell reveals that Mercedes is diligently working to improve their race starts, a crucial area of focus ahead of the upcoming Miami Grand Prix in May. Despite achieving four front row lockouts in the initial three Grands Prix and Sprint, neither Russell nor his teammate has managed to secure the lead after the first lap. The team's biggest weakness lies in their starts, but they have demonstrated sufficient pace to bounce back and claim victories in the opening three races. Ferrari, on the other hand, has excelled in starts this season, owing to their compact turbo, which enables quicker spin-up times and facilitates finding the optimal launch window. Drivers have limited opportunities to practice starts, restricted to the end of free practice sessions during a Grand Prix weekend. Russell emphasizes that while practice chances are scarce, the team is intensely focused on analyzing data to address their sole significant flaw. 'A tremendous amount is happening behind the scenes,' Russell stated during Pirelli tire testing in Germany. The team is leveraging simulator analysis, pouring over data from the first three races, and looking ahead to the forthcoming events, including the Miami and Montreal sprint races. Although they are currently engaged in tire testing, which prohibits start practices, the team is working tirelessly to rectify their start issues, acknowledging the sport's inherent difficulty in allowing limited practice time.