George Russell has expressed that the Mercedes car in 2024 has provided the “most inconsistent” performance that the team has ever encountered within Formula 1.
Mercedes‘ fortunes since the return to ground effect aero in 2022 have marked a stark contrast to the previous era when it took eight consecutive Constructors’ titles.
However, the German marque appeared to have got a hold on the current cars when developments inspired it to three victories in four races before the summer break.
But Mercedes has been unable to sustain that momentum as a sole podium has materialised since, while updates to the W15 have triggered unpredictable behaviour.
Lewis Hamilton suspects that the new parts have been the cause behind Mercedes’ high-speed incidents, but both drivers will continue to run the latest floor in Brazil.
As Mercedes strives to obtain a greater understanding of its revised package, Russell has expanded on the troubles that he and Hamilton have endured in the cockpit.
“I think in 2022, in the sort of porpoising era, without doubt that was far more unpleasant,” Russell told media including Motorsport Week.
“But the nature of those cars, it was far harder to get close to the limit because literally you’re jumping around every single corner and you knew that it was going to bite you.
“The problem we’ve got with this car at the moment is you think it’s not going to bite you and you can achieve a really great lap and then suddenly nothing changes or you feel nothing changes the following lap and you lose all of that performance so, without doubt, this is probably the most inconsistent our performance has been as a team in probably forever.”
READ MORE – Mercedes pinpoints cause behind W15 F1 car’s ‘uglier behaviour’
Mercedes lessons crucial to 2025 direction
Russell has admitted the lessons that Mercedes can collate over the remaining rounds will be vital in determining the side’s development direction heading into 2025.
“It definitely is not an extra pre-season because next year’s car will be totally new and different,” Russell, who will part Andrea Kimi Antonelli next season, denied.
“But we are fighting for no Drivers’ Championship and no Constructors’ Championship.
“So, we need to use these last four opportunities to learn as much as we can, to make sure we’re as best prepared for the winter development.”
READ MORE – George Russell denies Mercedes blip a concern for 2025 F1 car
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