George Russell has revealed that Mercedes are putting considerable effort into enhancing their race-start performance, conducting extensive work "behind the scenes" as the Formula 1 calendar heads toward the Miami Grand Prix in May. Despite securing front-row lockouts at the first three Grand Prix events and the accompanying Sprint race, neither Russell nor his teammate Kimi Antonelli have managed to lead after the opening lap, highlighting a persistent shortfall in the team's start procedure.
The start of a race remains the Achilles' heel for the Silver Arrows, even though their overall pace has been strong enough to claim victory in the first three events of the season. In contrast, Ferrari has emerged as the most effective starter in the 2026 campaign, thanks largely to a compact turbocharger that spins up more quickly, giving their drivers a broader window to launch optimally from the grid. Drivers typically get a single chance to rehearse a start during the final free‑practice session of a Grand Prix weekend, and there are no additional official opportunities to fine‑tune the precise launch point.
This scarcity of practice time makes every data point crucial. While testing at the Nürburgring for Pirelli tyres, Russell emphasized that the team is concentrating on the data they can collect, aiming to rectify what he described as their "one significant flaw." "There is a huge amount going on behind the scenes," Russell told Sky Germany. He explained that, much like any sport, numerous activities occur out of the public eye.
The team has been using the simulator extensively, dissecting the first three races and projecting improvements for the upcoming events in Miami and Montreal, both of which feature Sprint formats and therefore demand a flawless start. During the Pirelli tyre test, Russell noted that regulations prohibit any on‑track start attempts, a rule that applies to all teams when they are engaged in tyre testing. "We are here because it is a Pirelli test and a tyre test, we are not allowed to do any starts," he said.
Consequently, the engineers are forced to rely on telemetry, video analysis, and simulator work to understand why their launches have lagged behind competitors. He added, "We are working a lot behind the scenes analysing the data.
Our sport is difficult because you don't get to practice that much. It is part of the rules that you are not allowed to drive. 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." The constraints imposed by the regulations mean that Mercedes must extract maximum insight from limited on‑track sessions.
The team is reportedly experimenting with several avenues: adjusting clutch bite points, refining torque delivery, and tweaking the electronic launch control algorithms. Additionally, they are reviewing tyre temperature curves to ensure the rubber is at its optimal grip level at the moment of launch, a factor that can vary dramatically with ambient temperature and track surface conditions. Another area of focus is driver technique. While both Russell and Antonelli are highly skilled, subtle differences in reaction time and clutch modulation can translate into a half‑second loss off the line—a margin that can be decisive in a tightly contested field.
The drivers have been running extensive simulator drills that replicate the exact conditions expected in Miami, including the high humidity and the unique banking of the street circuit, to ingrain the perfect launch rhythm. Mercedes' engineering staff is also leveraging the wealth of data gathered from the first three races. By comparing telemetry from the successful Ferrari starts—such as their rapid turbo spool‑up and early torque application—with their own datasets, they hope to identify gaps and implement targeted software updates.
This data‑driven approach is complemented by hardware tweaks, like lightweight flywheel modifications and revised gearbox ratios, aimed at delivering a more aggressive acceleration profile without compromising reliability. The upcoming Miami Grand Prix presents a critical test for these developments.
The race weekend includes two Sprint events, meaning that a strong start will be essential not only for the main Grand Prix but also for the shorter, high‑stakes Sprint races that award valuable championship points. Russell expressed optimism that the intensive behind‑the‑scenes work will pay dividends, stating that the team is "full gas" as they head into the next phase of the season.
Fans can look forward to seeing whether Mercedes' clandestine efforts translate into tangible improvements on the track. If the data analysis and simulator work bear fruit, the Silver Arrows could close the start‑gap with Ferrari and other rivals, turning their early‑race vulnerability into a new strength as the 2026 season progresses.