George Russell believes Mercedes must “revert again to what we had earlier within the season” after failing to match the main groups within the Belgian Grand Prix, with fifth place “in all probability flattering the true tempo of the automotive”.
The Briton drove a lonely race on Sunday at Spa-Francorchamps, ending 35s behind race winner Oscar Piastri having made up just one place from his beginning place on the expense of Alex Albon within the early operating when it was moist.
Since profitable the Canadian Grand Prix again in June, Russell and Mercedes have lacked efficiency within the final three Grands Prix, which the 27-year-old has put all the way down to a change in course relating to the automotive focus.
“We have to perceive why we have misplaced a lot tempo in current races. In fact it is irritating for all of us as a workforce, P5 was in all probability flattering the true tempo of the automotive so I am a minimum of glad we obtained the utmost attainable,” mentioned Russell.
“We made a transparent change of course a few months in the past and I feel since that time we have taken a step backwards.
“Typically it takes just a few races to know what the true causes are for that lack of tempo however clearly it looks as if we have to revert again to what we had earlier within the season.”
Staff mate Kimi Antonelli endured a tough weekend, failing to make it past the primary stage of Qualifying for each the Dash and Grand Prix.
Having began from the pit lane after set-up modifications, which included a brand new entrance wing for extra downforce, the younger Italian made two pit stops and ultimately completed sixteenth.
“Immediately I had extra confidence within the automotive, undoubtedly with the brand new wing I had extra stability and that was serving to,” mentioned Antonelli.
“Additionally the automotive felt extra linked so undoubtedly took some confidence again and now could be time to actually try to work for Qualifying as a result of if you begin on the entrance is totally one other story.
“Particularly for Budapest the place it is even more durable to overhaul to actually do an excellent Qualifying and begin on the entrance.”
