George Russell has admitted Mercedes still faces a serious weakness despite the team’s encouraging start to the 2026 Formula One season, with the British driver warning that improvements may only come through “baby steps” as the Silver Arrows continue chasing perfection under Formula One’s new regulations. The concern comes at a crucial stage of the championship as Mercedes attempts to protect its early advantage against rapidly improving rivals including Ferrari, McLaren, and Red Bull Racing.
Mercedes entered the 2026 season as the benchmark team after adapting impressively to Formula One’s latest technical regulations. The Brackley-based outfit immediately established itself as the strongest package on the grid, winning races and consistently securing pole positions during the opening rounds of the campaign. George Russell and young teammate Kimi Antonelli have both played major roles in Mercedes’ strong start, with Antonelli’s rapid rise becoming one of the defining stories of the season so far.
However, despite Mercedes’ early dominance, Russell has openly acknowledged that the team is still struggling in one key area — race starts. According to the British driver, poor launches off the line remain the clearest weakness of the Mercedes package, something that has repeatedly allowed rivals to gain positions during the opening laps of races. Russell explained that while Mercedes engineers are working aggressively to solve the issue, progress is unlikely to happen immediately. Instead, he warned that improvements may only arrive gradually through what he described as “baby steps.”
Russell’s comments underline how competitive Formula One has become under the new regulations. Even though Mercedes currently possesses one of the fastest cars on the grid, the smallest technical flaws can still create major consequences during races. Modern Formula One margins are incredibly tight, meaning weak starts can quickly compromise race strategies, tyre management, and overall results. For Mercedes, consistently losing positions during launches could eventually become a major threat to both championship campaigns if left unresolved.
The problem has become especially noticeable because several rival teams appear extremely strong during race starts. Ferrari and Red Bull, in particular, have repeatedly demonstrated aggressive launch performance during the opening phases of races. Russell himself experienced such difficulties earlier this season when Ferrari drivers managed to jump ahead of Mercedes cars despite starting behind on the grid. These situations have increased internal pressure on Mercedes to improve one of the few visible weaknesses in an otherwise highly competitive car.
The concern arrives at a critical moment because rival teams are now beginning to introduce major upgrade packages. Ferrari, McLaren, and Red Bull all brought significant developments during recent race weekends, while Mercedes only recently introduced its own first major upgrade package at the Canadian Grand Prix. Although the Mercedes updates appear promising, Russell admitted there are still uncertainties regarding how much long-term advantage the upgrades will truly deliver once rivals continue developing their own cars.
Russell stressed that Mercedes cannot afford to become complacent despite leading the championship battle. Speaking ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix weekend, he explained that there was “no need to panic” at this stage of the season because many races still remain. However, he also made it clear that Mercedes understands the threat posed by competitors who are expected to close the performance gap as development continues throughout the year.
One of the most fascinating aspects of Mercedes’ current situation is the internal competition between Russell and Antonelli. While Russell remains one of Formula One’s most experienced and consistent drivers, Antonelli has rapidly emerged as one of the sport’s brightest young talents. The 19-year-old Italian currently leads the championship after securing multiple consecutive victories, placing Russell under additional pressure within his own team.
Despite trailing his teammate in the standings, Russell has remained remarkably calm throughout the season. The British driver has repeatedly emphasised the importance of patience, maturity, and consistency rather than reacting emotionally to short-term setbacks. Russell explained that Formula One championships are not won after only a few races, especially under regulations where development races between teams can dramatically shift competitiveness over time.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has also continued backing Russell strongly despite growing excitement surrounding Antonelli’s performances. Wolff has consistently praised Russell’s leadership, technical feedback, and ability to remain composed under pressure. Earlier speculation linking Max Verstappen with a possible future move to Mercedes also appears to have faded, with Russell continuing to position himself as one of the central figures in the team’s long-term plans.
Still, Russell knows Mercedes faces increasing pressure as the season progresses. McLaren has shown signs of major improvement in recent races, Ferrari continues investing heavily in development, and Red Bull remains dangerous despite struggling to fully master the new regulations. Formula One history has repeatedly shown that early-season dominance does not guarantee championship success by the end of the year. Development battles often determine titles far more than opening performances alone.
Another factor adding complexity to Mercedes’ situation is the unpredictable nature of the 2026 regulations themselves. Drivers across the grid have openly discussed how difficult the new cars can be to manage, particularly regarding energy deployment, tyre behaviour, and aerodynamic sensitivity. Russell himself has acknowledged that teams are still learning how to maximise performance under the new rules, meaning hidden weaknesses may continue emerging as the season develops.
The Canadian Grand Prix weekend has therefore become an important test for Mercedes’ latest developments. Early signs from practice and sprint qualifying suggest the team’s new upgrades are working effectively, with both Russell and Antonelli showing strong pace around the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. However, Russell remains cautious about making overly confident predictions too early. The British driver admitted that while simulation numbers appear encouraging, Formula One often produces surprises once cars hit the track under real competitive conditions.
Russell’s honesty regarding Mercedes’ remaining weaknesses has also earned praise from many observers inside the paddock. Rather than pretending the team possesses a perfect package, the Briton has openly recognised the importance of continuous improvement. His “baby steps” remark reflects a realistic understanding of how Formula One development works — especially under modern budget caps and highly complex technical regulations where massive overnight improvements are increasingly difficult to achieve.
At the same time, Mercedes supporters remain optimistic because the team’s overall package still appears extremely competitive compared to most rivals. The W17 has already demonstrated impressive pace, reliability, and adaptability across different circuits. Antonelli’s victories and Russell’s consistency have allowed Mercedes to establish itself as the early championship favourite despite unresolved weaknesses during starts.
As the Formula One season continues, the battle between Mercedes and its rivals is expected to intensify significantly. Ferrari, McLaren, and Red Bull are all preparing additional upgrades aimed at reducing Mercedes’ advantage, while changing track conditions and different circuit characteristics could quickly alter the competitive order. In such an environment, even small weaknesses like poor race starts can become major championship threats if rivals continue improving around them.
Ultimately, George Russell’s comments reveal both confidence and caution inside Mercedes. The team clearly believes it possesses a car capable of winning championships, but it also understands that Formula One success depends on constantly refining even the smallest details. Whether Mercedes can solve its launch problems quickly enough may become one of the key storylines shaping the outcome of the 2026 Formula One championship battle.
