George Russell has claimed the challenging period Mercedes has endured in Formula 1 was “needed” to help the team “break the mould” before the 2026 regulation change.
Russell, who sustained an initial three-season stint at Williams, was promoted to a Mercedes seat in 2022 with the side having won eight consecutive Constructors’ titles.
However, Mercedes has been unable to scale those heights since sweeping changes to the technical regulations were introduced which coincided with Russell being recalled.
The Briton managed to outscore seven-time F1 champion Lewis Hamilton twice in three seasons, but Mercedes’ interminable struggles have limited him to three victories.
But as he embarks on a new chapter as the team leader at Mercedes with Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s arrival as his team-mate, Russell has taken positives from the team’s demise.
With a wholesale rule change on the horizon in 2026, Russell believes the German marque experiencing hardship will improve how the side navigates the upcoming reset.
“It’s been a tough couple of years,” Russell told Sky Sports at a Mercedes event with Adidas, the team’s new apparel partner from 2025.
“Of course we haven’t had anywhere close to the success that we hoped for and what we’ve worked towards.
“But I feel like we potentially almost needed those years to reset, to change the mould, to start us on a fresh start and of course into this year, but also next year is going to be a huge season for every team, so much focus into getting that right because we know that if you start on the right tracks, it can set you up for years to come.
“So I’m really pumped, really excited. The break was nice, but I want to go racing now.”
Mercedes ‘can achieve’ title success in 2025
Mercedes showed sporadic promise despite the setbacks that occurred again in 2024, including in Las Vegas when Russell converted pole position into a 1-2 result.
Russell has insisted Mercedes capitalising on such opportunities is a promising sign that the team is prepared to be engaged in a title battle should the W16 be competitive.
Asked whether he is ready to win a championship, Russell responded: “Yeah, absolutely. I feel ready, everybody in the team is so motivated.
“And I feel that these years have been sort of trial and error, but every time we’ve had a chance to win, we’ve won.
“And that’s what gives me the optimism that if we do have the car, we can achieve it [the title].
“So we’re working as hard as we can to for it to be this year, but everybody is fully on board and it’s going to be an exciting season.”
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