George Russell does not believe that Mercedes’ dominant performance at last year’s Las Vegas Grand Prix guarantees them favoritism for this weekend’s race.
Mercedes secured a 1-2 finish at the 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix, with Russell winning ahead of teammate Lewis Hamilton. Russell led the race from pole position and fended off Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc to claim his second victory of the season. Meanwhile, Hamilton started from 10th but showcased impressive race pace to finish second.
Last year’s success was attributed to cool track conditions and a low downforce setup, which played to Mercedes’ strengths. These factors were also present this year, with Russell winning the Canadian Grand Prix from pole and finishing second in Baku behind Max Verstappen.
Despite this, Russell urged caution in expecting a repeat of last year’s win in Las Vegas. Speaking at the FIA press conference, he highlighted Red Bull as a major contender. Russell noted, “Last year was a great race for us, and the car performed excellently in cool conditions. However, success a year ago doesn’t guarantee the same now. We won in Singapore this year but had a poor race there last year. I think Red Bull has improved substantially in their low-downforce setups, shown by their wins in Monza and Baku, so they will be strong competitors.”
Russell believes this year’s Mercedes car is more versatile and consistent across different tracks, currently placing them second in the constructors’ championship ahead of Ferrari and Red Bull, with three races remaining. He added that this balance makes them less likely to dominate an “unusual” venue like Las Vegas. “Our goal is to improve the car throughout the 24-race season. Last year, we developed a strong car for cool conditions which helped us win more races and gain a bigger lead in the championship. Last year we finished fourth overall, but this year we’re battling for second place with a car that performs well across more circuits. This means we might be less competitive on circuits that don’t suit our strengths,” he explained.
Fan Take: Russell’s realistic outlook adds an intriguing layer to the Las Vegas GP, reminding fans that racing dynamics can shift quickly. With Red Bull’s improvements and Mercedes’ balanced approach, this race could provide thrilling competition and keep the championship battle wide open.
