George Russell has revealed that Mercedes are putting considerable effort into improving their launch performance, conducting extensive work "behind the scenes" as they prepare for the upcoming Formula 1 round in Miami scheduled for May. Despite the team’s impressive record this season—four front‑row lockouts across three Grand Prix events and the Sprint race—their drivers, Russell and his teammate Kimi Antonelli, have yet to lead the pack after the first lap of a race. The opening getaway has emerged as the most noticeable weakness in the otherwise dominant Silver Arrows package. While the car’s overall speed and aerodynamic efficiency have allowed Mercedes to claim victories in the first three races of the 2026 campaign, the inability to convert that pace into an immediate lead off the line remains a point of frustration for the squad.
In contrast, Ferrari have set the benchmark for start‑line performance this year. Their advantage stems largely from a smaller turbocharger unit that spins up more quickly, granting drivers a broader window to hit the optimal launch point. This technical edge has translated into consistently strong starts for the Scuderia, putting additional pressure on Mercedes to close the gap.
Drivers typically get a brief opportunity to practice starts at the tail end of a Grand Prix weekend’s free‑practice sessions, but beyond that, there are very few occasions to fine‑tune the precise moment to unleash the car’s power. Recognising this limitation, Russell emphasized during a Pirelli tyre‑testing session at the Nürburgring that the team is now turning its attention to data analysis to remedy 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 are many aspects that the public doesn’t see, and we have the chance to test and evaluate them. We spend many days on the simulator dissecting the first three races and planning for the upcoming events." He went on to note that the next two rounds—Miami and Montreal—both feature Sprint races, meaning the stakes for a strong start are even higher. "It’s full gas," he said, underscoring the urgency of getting the launch right.
Because the current session is a Pirelli tyre test, the team is prohibited from conducting actual race‑start drills, a restriction that applies to all competitors during tyre‑only testing. Nevertheless, Russell stressed that the team is leveraging the available data to its fullest.
"We are working a lot behind the scenes analysing the data," he explained. "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 the car in a start‑specific context during these tests." Despite the constraints, the Mercedes engineers have already begun formulating hypotheses about why the car has been lagging at the start. Russell hinted that they have identified several potential factors—ranging from clutch bite point calibration to tyre temperature management—and are now testing solutions in the simulator and during limited on‑track runs.
"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," he concluded.
The upcoming Miami Grand Prix, set for May 1‑3, will be the season’s second Sprint weekend and offers a prime opportunity for Mercedes to showcase any improvements they have made. Fans can watch the event live on Sky Sports F1, with streaming options available through NOW without a long‑term contract. In summary, while Mercedes have demonstrated dominant race‑pace performance, the team acknowledges that a weaker start has been a recurring issue.
By dedicating extensive resources to data analysis, simulator work, and strategic planning during tyre‑testing sessions, they aim to transform this vulnerability into a strength before the high‑pressure Miami Sprint. The next few weeks will be crucial in determining whether these behind‑the‑scenes efforts translate into tangible gains on the track, potentially reshaping the competitive landscape of the 2026 Formula 1 season.