George Russell says that Mercedes are working hard “behind the scenes” to improve their race starts ahead of the return of the Formula 1 season in Miami in May.
Mercedes have had four front row lockouts from the three Grands Prix and Sprint so far this season, but neither Russell or team-mate Kimi Antonelli have been in the lead after the opening lap.
The start is Mercedes’ biggest weakness but the Silver Arrows have had enough pace to fight back and win the opening three races.
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Oscar Piastri took the lead at the start of the Japanese Grand Prix as pole-sitter Kimi Antonelli and his Mercedes team-mate George Russell both dropped backwards.
Meanwhile, Ferrari have been the best starters so far in 2026 due to their small turbo which takes less time to spin up, therefore making it easier to find the optimal window to get off the line.
Drivers can practice starts at the end of free practice on a Grand Prix weekend but don’t have any other opportunities to practice the optimal point to launch their car.
Speaking from Pirelli tyre testing in Germany at the Nürburgring, Russell stressed that while chances to practice race starts are few and far between, the team have been focusing in on the “data” to ensure they improve their one significant flaw.
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Lewis Hamilton leads as Isack Hadjar spins off in a thrilling start to the Chinese GP.
“There is a huge amount going on behind the scenes,” Russell told Sky Germany.
“As in any sport, there is a lot that goes on that people don’t see and we have this opportunity to be testing. There are lots of days on the simulator analysing the first three races and looking ahead to the next couple that are coming up.
“It is two sprint races when we come back with Miami and Montreal so it is full gas.
“We are here because it is a Pirelli test and a tyre test, we are not allowed to do any starts, that is the same for any team when they do tyre testing.
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Ride on board with Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc as they both get a rocketing start off the line in Australia
“We are working a lot behind the scenes analysing the data.
“Our sport is difficult because you don’t get to practice that much. It is part of the rules that you are not allowed to drive.
“Of course, we would love to be out doing loads and loads of starts. We have some ideas of why we have been falling short of the race starts so hopefully we can build on that.”
Formula 1 returns on May 1-3 with the Miami Grand Prix, the season’s second Sprint weekend, live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime
