George Russell has expressed concerns about Mercedes' start performance compared to Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton as the 2026 Formula 1 season kicks off. With new regulations bringing fresh power units and chassis, drivers face a unique challenge in launching off the grid effectively.
During the final pre-season testing in Bahrain, the FIA trialed a new start procedure to help drivers prepare, yet inconsistencies remain. Russell, a top contender for the drivers' title following Mercedes' strong pre-season, noted, "We've got a lot of potential, but getting off the line well is crucial. My starts this week were worse than my worst ever in F1."
Ferrari seems to have nailed the new power unit requirements, with Hamilton making remarkable starts in practice sessions. Russell added, "Lewis moved from P11 to P1, showing that start performance is critical, and we're still figuring it out."
Meanwhile, McLaren's Oscar Piastri, who shares the same Mercedes engine, seemed less worried but acknowledged the unpredictability of early-season starts. "It's very random right now.
We're all learning what makes a good or bad start. It's trickier from every angle, and we'll likely see some chaotic starts initially," Piastri commented.
Despite Mercedes' strong showing, Russell remains cautious of Red Bull's threat in Australia. He noticed Red Bull's impressive energy deployment during Bahrain testing, despite them producing their engine for the first time.
"Their deployment is still the best, which was a surprise. We've closed the gap, but Melbourne's limited practice time is concerning," Russell remarked.
Red Bull's Laurent Mekies downplayed their pace, stating they trailed rivals like Mercedes, McLaren, and Ferrari. However, Max Verstappen's performance in testing suggests Red Bull is ready to challenge at the season opener.