Russell reveals key area of improvement with Mercedes for 2025
George Russell has begun his 2025 preparations with Mercedes, bringing a renewed focus and determination to build on last year’s successes.
While the three-time Grand Prix winner has set ambitious goals for the upcoming campaign, he is prioritizing one area for significant improvement.
Russell enjoyed a strong qualifying form throughout 2024, but he admits that his race pace on Sundays was not always at the same level and sees this as an aspect that requires improvement.
“Last year qualifying was my strength, but my race pace was not always the best,” Russell said.
“I know I have the speed over one lap, but there is no reason why I should not be able to convert that over the course of a race. I need to work on some elements to achieve that.”
Unchanged Approach to Goal-Setting
The 26-year-old, now entering his seventh season in Formula 1, emphasized that his broader approach to goal setting remains unchanged.
Rather than setting arbitrary targets based on race wins, Russell prefers to focus on refining specific aspects of his performance.
“My goals are very much the same, and the approach has not changed,” he explained.
“Formula 1 is so unique, so you cannot really set goals like that. If I say that I want to win four races this year because last year I won three, I am not going to be satisfied if I win five but the car is capable of 10.”
©Mercedes
Instead, Russell is committed to fine-tuning his skills and adapting to the ever-evolving challenges that each new F1 season presents.
“There will be some other goals that perhaps are not clear to the fans at home but are at the forefront of my mind,” he said.
“The great thing about F1 is you enter a new year, with a new car and new limitations – something that may have been a strength last year may not be this year. You always have to adapt.”
Intense Off-Season Training
Russell’s determination has been evident in his rigorous off-season training, which began on January 2. He revealed that his early sessions were particularly intense as he worked to maintain peak physical condition.
“The second week was absolutely brutal,” he said. “We build into it, the last thing you want to do is go out too hard and injure yourself.
“I kept moving over the break anyway, keeping mobile to avoid sitting around all day doing nothing.”
With the new season fast approaching, the Briton is eager to get back on track and put his refined approach to the test.
“The break is needed for everyone in Formula 1, but in all honesty, I was eager to get back to it,” he said.
“What’s so great being back is that you see how motivated everybody is to go racing and see how the car is.”
As Mercedes embarks on a fresh chapter, Russell’s commitment to refining his race-day performance could be a decisive factor in the team’s push to reclaim its place at the top of Formula 1.
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