George Russell has revealed that Mercedes are putting considerable effort into refining their race‑start performance ahead of the upcoming Formula 1 round in Miami, scheduled for May. While the team has secured front‑row lock‑outs at the first three Grand Prix events and the accompanying Sprint, neither Russell nor his teammate Kimi Antonelli has managed to lead the pack after the opening lap. This shortfall in the launch phase remains the most glaring weakness of the Silver Arrows, despite their overall speed allowing them to claim victory in the first three meetings of the season. The current season has highlighted a stark contrast between Mercedes' raw pace and their ability to convert that speed into an early‑race advantage.
Ferrari, on the other hand, have emerged as the most proficient starters in 2026, largely thanks to a compact turbocharger that spins up more quickly, giving their drivers a broader window to hit the optimal launch point. In Formula 1, drivers are only permitted to practice starts at the tail end of free‑practice sessions on a Grand Prix weekend, leaving very few opportunities to fine‑tune the precise moment they release the clutch and apply full throttle. Speaking from a Pirelli tyre‑testing programme at the Nürburgring in Germany, Russell emphasized how scarce these practice moments are and how the team is compensating by delving deep into the data collected from the first three races. "There is a huge amount going on behind the scenes," he told Sky Germany.
"As in any sport, there is a lot that people don’t see, and we have this chance to be testing. We spend many days on the simulator analysing the opening laps of the first three events and looking ahead to the next couple of races." Russell explained that the upcoming Miami weekend will feature two Sprint races – one in Miami and another in Montreal – meaning the team will have a full‑gas schedule and limited time to experiment on track.
"We are here because it is a Pirelli test and a tyre test; we are not allowed to do any starts, and that’s the same for any team during tyre testing," he added. Consequently, the bulk of their work on start performance is being carried out off‑track, through extensive data analysis, simulator work, and engineering discussions.
The driver highlighted the inherent difficulty of improving a start in a sport where on‑track practice is heavily regulated. "Our sport is difficult because you don’t get to practice that much. It’s part of the rules that you are not allowed to drive," Russell noted.
"Of course, we would love to be out doing loads and loads of starts. We have some ideas of why we have been falling short of the race starts, so hopefully we can build on that." In practical terms, the team is likely focusing on several key areas: clutch bite point calibration, torque delivery curves, tyre temperature management, and the interplay between the new turbo architecture and the car’s rear‑wheel traction. By simulating countless start scenarios, engineers can pinpoint the exact combination of clutch slip and throttle application that yields the quickest launch without overwhelming the rear tyres. Additionally, they are probably scrutinising the tyre‑temperature data gathered during the Pirelli test to understand how quickly the new compounds reach optimal grip levels after a standing start.
Mercedes’ recent dominance in qualifying and race pace suggests that once the start issue is resolved, the team could become even more formidable. A smoother launch would not only improve their chances of leading into the first corner but also reduce the risk of early‑race incidents that often arise from a chaotic scramble for position. Moreover, a stronger start would complement their strategic flexibility, allowing them to dictate pit‑stop timing and race‑pace management from the front rather than reacting to rivals. The upcoming Miami Grand Prix, set for May 1‑3, will be the season’s second Sprint weekend and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1.
Fans can stream the event via NOW without a long‑term contract, cancelling at any time. As the Silver Arrows head into this critical phase of the calendar, all eyes will be on whether the behind‑the‑scenes work Russell described translates into a tangible improvement when the lights go out on race day.