Mercedes Strategy Errors Mar Race Day, Russell Salvages Point Amidst Chaos
Mercedes endured a deeply frustrating race day, plagued by strategic missteps and a late-race collision that resulted in a retirement for one driver. Despite a potentially competitive car, a series of incorrect tire calls and unfortunate circumstances left the team with a single point secured by George Russell.
A senior official within the team acknowledged the day’s difficulties, stating, “We are all in this together and that was a poor performance all around from us today.”
Early Gamble on Slicks Backfires
The race’s trajectory took a turn on the formation lap when Russell opted for slick tires, a decision that proved premature. Simultaneously, Antonelli remained on intermediate tires, but also transitioned to slicks too early, leaving both drivers vulnerable as rain began to fall. This necessitated a second pit stop for intermediate tires, dropping them down the order.
“The first call to take the slick tyre on the formation lap was wrong,” a team representative confirmed. “From there, we spiralled from bad to worse.”
Antonelli’s Race Ends in Contact
Antonelli’s challenging day took a further downturn when he was rear-ended by Hadjar in the heavy spray, sustaining significant damage to his rear diffuser. Despite attempts to continue, the damage proved insurmountable, forcing his retirement.
“Even once the Safety Car had come back in, visibility was still very poor and there was lots of standing water,” Antonelli explained. “That is what caught out Hadjar and that was just unfortunate for the both of us.”
Russell’s Recovery and Late Drama
Russell, despite the early setback, demonstrated resilience, fighting his way back through the field. However, another early switch to slick tires resulted in a spin through the gravel, further complicating his race. Remarkably, he managed to salvage the final point, finishing 10th.
“It’s always difficult making the right calls in conditions like today but sadly, we didn’t manage to do that,” Russell said. “We were fortunate to be able to fight back to P10 but overall, that was a bad day and not how I wanted my home race to go.”
Hard Tire Struggles and Missed Opportunities
A recurring theme throughout the race was the team’s choice of the hard tire compound, which presented warm-up challenges. Both drivers struggled to generate sufficient heat in the tires, hindering their ability to maximize pace.
According to a trackside engineering director, the team aimed to leapfrog Gasly with a late stop for dry tires, but “we overestimated how ready the circuit was for them.”
Looking Ahead to Spa
The team is now focused on analyzing the errors made and implementing improvements before the next race in Spa. A senior official emphasized the need for a swift response, stating, “We have to take this result on the chin but must make sure we do not repeat the errors we made today.”
The team acknowledges the need for a comprehensive review of their decision-making process, particularly regarding tire strategy. The upcoming race in Spa presents an opportunity to regroup and demonstrate a stronger performance. “.
George Russell: 10th
Kimi Antonelli: DNF
