Is George Russell Right to Worry About Mercedes’ 2025 Car Flaws After Imola Challenges?

New Delhi, May 19 (NationPress) George Russell has raised concerns regarding Mercedes' performance in the 2025 Formula 1 season, suggesting that persistent issues could hinder the team's ambitions as the weather warms up. The British driver faced a disappointing Grand Prix at Imola, where he finished seventh after starting from third on the grid — a result that left him feeling frustrated and in search of solutions.

In a post-race interview with Sky Sports F1 following the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, Russell did not shy away from expressing his worries about the trajectory of Mercedes' development. “The trends are pretty clear. When it's hot, we're slow. When it's cold, we're quick. That was the same last year,” he noted, pointing to the ongoing challenges faced by Mercedes across two successive seasons.

Despite the introduction of upgrades including a new front wing and improved front suspension at Imola — components that had generated optimism within the team — the car struggled again as track temperatures increased. While Russell's disappointing finish was influenced by an unfortunate Virtual Safety Car and a dubious strategic decision, he indicated that the fundamental problems lie deeper than just race-day variables.

“We've been adjusting the setup in search of solutions, but there’s evidently something more fundamental in the car,” he acknowledged.

Currently, Russell ranks fourth in the drivers’ standings, trailing championship leader Oscar Piastri by 47 points. Although he has managed to outperform the car's inherent capabilities, securing four podium finishes in the first six races, the limitations were starkly evident at Imola.

“This isn't the first time this season we've been slower than Ferrari or even matched Williams,” Russell admitted. “We’ve somehow secured results in those situations, but today, we were quite fortunate to finish P7, to be honest.”

Mercedes’ second driver, rookie Kimi Antonelli, also had a tough home debut, forced to retire due to a throttle issue. Nevertheless, with Verstappen lacking consistent backup at Red Bull and Ferrari struggling in recent races, Mercedes remains second in the Constructors’ Championship, though they trail McLaren — now clearly the leading team — by a significant 132 points.

Russell's insights indicate a mounting concern within the Brackley-based team regarding their failure to adapt to varying track temperatures. The car’s tire performance seems to fluctuate dramatically based on conditions, reflecting Mercedes' difficulties from the previous season when they performed better in cooler races but lost pace in warmer weather.

The 2025 car, which was anticipated to be a major advancement, still appears to carry forward the same inconsistencies.

“I wouldn't claim we're out of ideas to resolve the tire issues,” Russell pointed out, “but as I mentioned, it seems to be baked into the car.” He drew comparisons with Ferrari’s past struggles, noting how the Scuderia transitioned from a car that excelled in qualifying to one that now performs better in race conditions — albeit without fully grasping the underlying changes. “We need to find a better compromise, especially before the next race,” Russell stressed. “Summer is approaching, and it doesn't bode well for us. We need to act quickly.”