George Russell believes the consistent cornering speeds at the Monaco Grand Prix could mask a crucial problem Mercedes has endured with its 2024 Formula 1 car.
Mercedes has sustained an underwhelming start to the campaign, with Russell and team-mate Lewis Hamilton unable to log a single podium in the first seven races.
The German marque has eradicated the recalcitrant traits that hampered its predecessor, but the W15 has proven problematic to dial into the ideal operating window.
However, Russell harbours hope that Monte Carlo’s abundance of slow-speed turns will help Mercedes avoid the balance conundrum it has had issues with this term.
“We’ve known all season that we struggle to balance high-to-low speed,” he said.
“We can either get it quite competitive in low speed and we struggle at high speed or vice-versa.
“So we are hoping that with relatively consistent corner speeds at this circuit, that we should be slightly more competitive.”
George Russell (GBR) Mercedes AMG F1 W15. 18.05.2024. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 7, Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, Imola, Italy, Qualifying Day.
Russell is convinced that the upgrades Mercedes implemented at the past two rounds in Miami and Imola improved the car and reduced the gap to the teams ahead.
“The car is definitely more balanced through through the lap now,” he highlighted.
“We were struggling a lot at the start to balancing the high to low-speed corners, and I think it we have made progress.
“When you look at the gap to Red Bull, when you look at the gap to the rest of the midfield, we have moved forward.
“But I do think it’s fair to say Ferrari and McLaren have move forward at the same rate.
“So we need to keep them working, bringing those upgrades to the car. The whole team are working flat-out right now to bring those upgrades as quick as possible.”
But in order to capitalise on a potential opening at Monaco, the Briton has warned that Mercedes must be prepared to deal with an evolving track through the weekend.
“Monaco is so challenging, there’s so many disruptions throughout the whole weekend and you just need to find that sweet spot,” he explained.
““The track’s evolving so much, it’s getting faster and faster, often up to three seconds quicker in qualifying than it is in practice one.
“So even if you have a good Friday you need to be ready to adapt moving into Saturday.
“We saw today, I was in the engineering meeting and it was bright blue sunshine, and I came out and it was pouring down with rain. So that could add some spice to things.”
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