(Motorsport-Total.com) – The high-speed mecca in Monza offers Mercedes the chance to fully exploit the strengths of their own power unit on the long straights. Nevertheless, George Russell warns against premature certainty of victory ahead of the Italian Grand Prix.
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On a weekend where engine performance plays a more central role again than on the recently more technical tracks, Russell sees the Silver Arrows in a better starting position, but he still tempers expectations: “I don’t know if we can say that we are the favorites this weekend, but we definitely have a greater chance than in the last two races.”
He still considers his own chassis the best on the grid, but the competition is not sleeping. “At the upcoming races, we must not forget that Red Bull also has a very strong power unit. We know that this track will suit them more than others. Then there is Ferrari with the upgrades – I think it could be a four-way fight this weekend.”
With this enormous performance density, the starting position is completely open: “It is currently so close that the last tenth in qualifying can make the difference of a few positions, which in turn changes the podium. At the moment, I don’t know which team will be the one to beat.”
Russell with more confidence
That Russell himself gets back into the cockpit with more confidence after weaker weekends is primarily due to meticulous attention to detail. With aerodynamic upgrades, the focus is naturally first on pure downforce and then trying to compensate for mechanical limitations through the setup.
For Russell personally, however, the key to the improvement in form lay elsewhere: “I think I am in better shape than at the start of the season, and it is mainly about better understanding what I have to do with the tires – that was, in my opinion, the biggest progress.”
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Even off the track, Mercedes calculates with a cool head under the constraints of the budget cap. While the competition sometimes brings aggressive update packages, the team from Brackley acts noticeably more conservatively.
Mercedes motorsport chief Toto Wolff has already made it clear that financially nothing more is possible than the current development plan, which includes a package for the race weekend in Malaysia, among other things.
Savings course the right strategy?
For Russell, this savings course is completely understandable. But is he also confident that it is the right strategy? “Confidence is a strong word. It depends on what exactly you are trying to achieve,” he says. “If it is about winning every single race, then no – because recently we have not won that many races anymore.”
“If the goal is to win the world championship and try to finish first and second in the drivers’ championship, then I think this is the right decision,” says the Brit.
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For the teams, the balancing act between personnel costs and upgrades is extremely difficult. However, Russell trusts those responsible blindly: “Our team is one of the best in the industry, they have calculated their numbers and strategies, and we believe this is overall the best approach for us. So I trust them completely. I don’t even think about it.”
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“I just try to drive as fast as possible on Saturday and Sunday.”