George Russell has revealed that Mercedes are putting considerable effort into improving their launch performance, conducting extensive work "behind the scenes" as the Formula 1 calendar heads toward the Miami Grand Prix in May. Despite securing four front‑row lock‑outs across the three championship rounds and the Sprint event that have taken place so far this season, neither Russell nor his teammate Kimi Antonelli has managed to lead the pack after the opening lap.
The start of a race remains the team’s most glaring vulnerability, even though the Silver Arrows have consistently demonstrated enough outright speed to claim victory in the first three events. The difficulty with race starts is not unique to Mercedes; it is a complex blend of tyre temperature, clutch engagement, torque delivery and driver timing. In the current 2026 regulations, the cars feature a smaller turbocharger compared to previous years, which spins up more quickly and gives rivals such as Ferrari a clear advantage when trying to find the optimal launch window.
Ferrari’s drivers have, up to now, been the quickest off the line, capitalising on the reduced turbo lag to get a cleaner, more powerful thrust as the lights go out. Drivers normally get a single opportunity to rehearse a start at the conclusion of the free‑practice sessions on a Grand Prix weekend. Outside of that brief window, there are no official chances to practice the precise moment to release the clutch and apply full power, meaning teams must rely heavily on data analysis and simulation to close the gap. Russell, speaking from a Pirelli tyre‑testing programme at the Nürburgring, stressed that while real‑world start practice is scarce, the team is mining every ounce of telemetry and simulation output to address what he described as their "one significant flaw." "There is a huge amount going on behind the scenes," Russell told Sky Germany.
"As in any sport, there is a lot that people don’t see, and we have this opportunity to be testing. There are lots of days on the simulator analysing the first three races and looking ahead to the next couple that are coming up." The upcoming Miami weekend will feature two Sprint races – one in Miami and another in Montreal – meaning the pressure to perfect the launch is amplified. Sprint events, with their shortened distance and heightened emphasis on a clean start, leave no margin for error.
Russell noted that the current testing programme is focused on tyre performance, and regulations prohibit any actual race‑start drills during a tyre test. This restriction applies to all teams, ensuring a level playing field but also limiting hands‑on experimentation.
"We are here because it is a Pirelli test and a tyre test, we are not allowed to do any starts, that is the same for any team when they do tyre testing," he explained. "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." To compensate for the lack of on‑track start practice, Mercedes has intensified its use of high‑fidelity simulators. These virtual environments replicate the exact tyre pressures, fuel loads, and track temperatures that drivers will encounter on race day. By running thousands of simulated launches, engineers can pinpoint the optimal clutch bite point, torque curve, and wheel‑spin thresholds for each driver’s style. The data is then fed back to the pit wall, where strategists develop bespoke launch maps that can be uploaded to the car’s electronic control unit.
Another area of focus is the new hybrid power unit architecture introduced for the 2026 season. The smaller turbocharger, while advantageous for overall efficiency, introduces a lag that can be detrimental during the first seconds of a race. Mercedes’ power‑train department is experimenting with revised turbo‑charger blade geometry and refined energy‑recovery strategies to minimise spool‑up time. Early bench tests suggest that a modest redesign could shave a few tenths of a second off the launch, a margin that can be decisive in a tightly contested field.
The team is also scrutinising driver technique. Russell and Antonelli have been conducting detailed video reviews of their launch sequences, comparing hand‑position, foot‑pressure and reaction timing against the data gathered from the simulators.
Small adjustments – such as a slightly earlier clutch release or a marginally different throttle application – can translate into a smoother power delivery and reduced wheel‑spin, especially on the slick, temperature‑sensitive tyres used at the start of a race. Beyond the technical realm, Mercedes is fostering a culture of continuous improvement. Engineers, data scientists, and drivers meet daily to discuss findings, share insights, and iterate on potential solutions. This collaborative approach mirrors practices seen in other high‑performance sports, where multidisciplinary teams work in concert to refine a single performance metric.
Looking ahead, the Miami Grand Prix will be the first true test of these behind‑the‑scenes efforts. The street circuit’s tight first corner places a premium on a clean getaway; any hesitation or excessive wheel‑spin can relegate a driver to the back of the pack before the first lap even ends. Russell is optimistic that the combination of simulator work, power‑unit tweaks, and driver coaching will yield a noticeable improvement.
"We have some ideas of why we have been falling short of the race starts, so hopefully we can build on that," he said. "It’s all about translating the data into action on the track." Fans can watch the Miami Sprint and the main race live on Sky Sports F1, with streaming options available through NOW without a long‑term contract. As the season progresses, the battle for the best start will remain a focal point, and Mercedes’ behind‑the‑scenes dedication may soon turn a historic weakness into a new strength.