George Russell Reveals Mercedes Are Working Overtime to Solve Race Start Struggles Ahead of Miami Return

George Russell has admitted Mercedes are deep in the weeds trying to solve their race start issues, insisting the team is working hard behind the scenes to ensure they hit the ground running when the Formula 1 season returns to Miami in May.

The British driver, entering his fifth season with the Mercedes-AMG Petronas team, acknowledged that getting off the line cleanly has been an area of focus after the opening races of the 2026 campaign exposed weaknesses in the squad's launch procedure.

"We are doing work behind the scenes to improve our race starts," Russell said, speaking ahead of the Miami Grand Prix. "It's an area we know we need to be strong in if we are to compete at the front every Sunday."

Mercedes have faced scrutiny over their ability to match the aggressive start procedures of rivals in recent seasons. With the new ground-effect cars demanding precise throttle calibration and clutch management off the line, the importance of a clean start has never been greater in F1.

Russell's comments come as the Brackley-based outfit looks to bounce back after a challenging start to 2026. Teammate Kimi Antonelli has already impressed with a victory in Japan, but Russell is determined to establish himself as the team leader as the season develops.

The Miami Grand Prix, staged around the Hard Rock Stadium complex, has become one of the most anticipated events on the F1 calendar since its introduction. Russell has performed well there in the past and will be hoping the unique street circuit layout provides an opportunity to make immediate ground at the start of the race.

With the season stretching ahead and the title fight expected to tighten, Russell knows that eliminating weaknesses in race execution will be crucial. "Every tenth of a second counts in F1, and starts are no different," he added.

Mercedes are expected to bring further upgrades to Miami as they continue to close the gap to Red Bull and McLaren at the front of the grid.