“This is what we have been chasing”: George Russell feeling optimistic about Mercedes’ new upgrades at the Spanish Grand Prix

George Russell was happy with the upgrades Mercedes brought for the 2024 F1 Spanish GP. He feels that the performance the team has been chasing for several months is finally surfacing.

Ever since 2022, Mercedes have been struggling to keep up with Red Bull and challenge them for the top spot in the championship. They faced issues like porpoising, the wrong car concept with zero sidepods, and more. In two years, 2022 and 2023, the Silver Arrows gradually eliminated these issues. However, their upward trajectory was moderate.

At the start of 2024, they not only fell behind the reigning world champions Red Bull but also failed to keep up with Ferrari and McLaren. In recent races, they have brought several important upgrade packages that successfully unleashed bits of performance out of the W15. George Russell even brought home Mercedes' first Grand Prix podium finish in Canada by securing P3.

Coming into Spain, Mercedes did not bring any major upgrades, but they did change a few parts to reduce the overall weight of the car. These weight-saving parts improved the car's performance even further.

Speaking to F1.com, George Russell said that he felt great during the first two practice sessions at the Spanish GP. He added that was happy to see Lewis Hamilton topping the timing sheets in FP2 and that he also felt great in the car on medium tires.

"Yeah feeling really good, the car is performing really well around this circuit. I need to have a closer look at it. Obviously, Lewis topping the timesheets which was really great to see. I felt really strong on the medium tire," Russell said.

He added:

"It is only Friday, but it's been a while since we have been consistently at the upper end. I'm feeling good, I'm excited, you know, this is what we have been chasing for a long time. We don't want to get ahead of ourselves."

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George Russell feels the Spanish GP could be a 'real test' for Mercedes' new upgrades

Mercedes' new upgrades allowed George Russell to have a great race in Canada and secure the team's first Grand Prix podium finish. The upgrade package was the first major positive milestone that the Silver Arrows reached in 2024.

Coming into Spain, Russell feels that the upgrade will be put to test around the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. He added that if the car is fast in Barcelona as well, the team will have a good rest of the 2024 F1 season.

“I think this is going to be a real test and if we can be fast this weekend, that bodes really well for the season,” Russell said.

After the Canadian GP, George Russell stands in seventh place with 69 points. On the other hand, Lewis Hamilton is down in eighth with only 55 points.