The German producer is present process an encouraging spell of kind due to a ground improve that has helped Lewis Hamilton end runner-up on the final two races, though he was subsequently disqualified from the US GP.
That kind bears some similarities to final 12 months, although, when Mercedes loved some robust promise in these similar races – which included victory for Russell within the Brazilian GP.
With Mercedes having didn’t construct on its 2022 momentum because it labored on its present W14 automotive, there stays a little bit of warning in regards to the workforce’s final potential with its all-new design for 2024.
However Russell thinks that the workforce is in a really totally different state of affairs proper now in comparison with 12 months in the past, particularly because it has understood what went unsuitable with the design of its 2023 challenger.
“What has caught us out this 12 months stemmed from the winter improvement,” he mentioned forward of the Brazilian GP. “We took the unsuitable course. We made some errors.
“That was evident as quickly as we hit the monitor in Bahrain. So, going into the third 12 months now, I am assured we’re not going to make those self same errors.”
Photograph by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Photos
George Russell, Mercedes-AMG
Russell mentioned that his confidence stemmed from the truth that he sees a very totally different method from the workforce by way of how it’s processing automotive enhancements.
Requested by Motorsport.com the place his religion got here from, Russell mentioned: “As a result of I feel 12 months on, we’ve got 12 months additional info and course.
“We have managed to implement a few of these adjustments we wish for 2024 in sure checks to this point this 12 months, they usually work as we anticipate.
“I feel the work that we’re placing into 2024, we have been much more thorough with our evaluation of each single choice.
“The automotive was nowhere near the place we wished it to be for the final season and we felt lots wanted to alter. We maybe rushed a few selections with out completely testing out on the simulator, going by way of the potential penalties.
“We have been simply attempting so many alternative issues and it was extra amount over high quality testing final 12 months.
“This 12 months we have actually nailed down on the course we wish to go. We have completely examined that course of to type of triple test that is the course we have taken. So I am assured 12 months later, we have now bought two years price of learnings.
“I feel and I hope we’re not going to be caught out by something going into subsequent 12 months. This doesn’t suggest that we will have the quickest automotive on grid. It simply means I do not assume we will stumble on the first hurdle.”
Photograph by: Steve Etherington / Motorsport Photos
George Russell, Mercedes F1 W14
Whereas Russell has not loved as massive a step ahead with the upgraded Mercedes as team-mate Lewis Hamilton for the reason that Austin weekend, he says that his potential has been disguised by separate points in latest races.
A have to gas save in the US Grand Prix, after which brake overheating issues in Mexico that compelled him to again off which then had implications for tyre temperatures, haven’t allowed him to indicate the promise that he thinks is there.
He mentioned: “I am feeling good with the brand new updates, to be sincere, the previous few races have been actually poor for various causes. They have not been very intuitive races with the restrictions that we have had.
“So having to do the large administration final week due to the brakes, some huge administration in Austin due to the gas, I am not standing right here scratching my head why the tempo is not there.
“I do know with out these items, the tempo could be there. It is simply been a few unlucky occasions for various causes. So, I am type of glad we have got this weekend right here in Brazil.”
