The Mercedes AMG Formula One team, once a powerhouse in the sport, appeared lackluster at last weekend’s Grand Prix in Imola. While Friday’s practice sessions hinted at progress, the race day performance was less than stellar. Lewis Hamilton finished a distant 35 seconds behind race winner Max Verstappen. Yet, the bigger story revolves around George Russell’s controversial pit stop.
During his review of the race, Ferrari’s Fred Vasseur wryly noted Mercedes’ slight progress, as they finished a bit closer to Ferrari than before. Vasseur, who replaced longtime Ferrari man Matteo Binotto, is quickly gaining popularity in the paddock for his wit and cool demeanor.
Despite Russell out-qualifying Hamilton and running ahead for most of the race, Mercedes decided to pit him late, costing him a deserved sixth place. With about 15 laps to go, Hamilton began eating into Russell’s seven-second lead, but it was unlikely Hamilton would overtake him due to similar tire strategies.
Sergio Perez, starting on harder tires, switched to mediums on lap 40 and began closing the gap with the two Mercedes cars. Mercedes opted to pit Russell for fresh tires to secure the fastest lap point. This move dropped Russell 20 seconds behind Hamilton and with just 11 laps remaining, it was clear he wouldn’t gain enough pace to catch his teammate again.
When Russell inquired if Hamilton would let him pass back, the response was a blunt ‘no.’ Mercedes justified the pit stop by claiming Russell was at risk from Perez, a surprising assertion given Perez would need to be two seconds per lap faster for the final 10 laps to overtake Russell.
Team principal Toto Wolff defended the decision, noting concerns about tire wear and the advantage of securing the fastest lap. However, observers noted that other drivers, such as Daniel Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda, managed long stints on hard tires, suggesting Russell could have stayed out.
Post-race, a visibly downcast Russell stated, ‘As a driver, you want to finish in the highest position possible. I was ahead all weekend and then lost the position for a point.’ He diplomatically added that the early pit stop may have compromised his race, reflecting the Mercedes PR line.
Behind the scenes, Mercedes worried about Hamilton’s potential reaction if he were asked to pit and subsequently struggled to overtake Perez. Bradley Lord, in charge of communications, preferred to avoid any negative comments from Hamilton after the race.
In other news, the F1 rumor mill is abuzz with speculation about Valtteri Bottas’ future. As Audi prepares to take over Sauber, Bottas and Zhou Guanyu’s positions remain uncertain, with a driver shakeup expected.
Mercedes’ strategic decisions at Imola have sparked controversy and internal unease. George Russell’s race exemplified the team’s struggles and highlighted the ongoing challenges they face. As the team navigates these turbulent times, the paddock will be watching their every move.
