Mercedes upgrades: George Russell not expecting ‘anything scary’ from W14 changes at Monaco GP

George Russell says he is not anticipating something “scary” from Mercedes’ upgrades, and that their option to debut them at this weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix is not “dangerous”.

Mercedes had deliberate to carry the long-awaited updates to final weekend’s Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, earlier than flooding in northern Italy noticed the occasion cancelled earlier than a automotive had taken to the monitor in Imola.

Whereas Monaco is often not greatest fitted to a staff to carry important upgrades because of the distinctive slow-speed nature of the monitor and the excessive danger of an accident, Mercedes opted towards additional delaying till subsequent weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix on the extra typical Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.

“I feel you all the time want to enter a circuit like this with a level of respect and it’s essential construct as much as it,” Russell mentioned on Thursday.

“However I belief within the staff and I do not suppose there’s going to be something that is scary almost about this new replace, that absolutely throws us off-piste.

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Sky Sports activities Information’ Craig Slater assesses the influence that Mercedes’ new upgrades may have, as the primary footage emerge of their revamped automotive.

“I am glad that we’re form of continuing with the replace this weekend since you all the time need to put as a lot efficiency on the automotive as potential and it will have been a demoralising weekend for all of us had we recognized we have got a little bit of efficiency on the desk simply sitting there within the manufacturing facility.”

The modifications to the automotive, which embrace a departure from their ‘zero-sidepod’ philosophy as a part of new bodywork, additionally characteristic a brand new flooring and new entrance suspension.

Mercedes are attempting to shut the hole on Purple Bull, having been emphatically outperformed by the reigning constructors’ champions since new design rules had been applied at first of final season.

After its new elements had been seen for the primary time as Mercedes arrange of their Monaco storage on Thursday, the up to date W14 will hit the monitor when first observe will get beneath manner at 12:30pm on Friday, stay on Sky Sports activities.

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Anthony Davidson believes Mercedes’ long-awaited automotive upgrades will not present till the Spanish GP because of the nature of the Circuit de Monaco.

“It is not essentially dangerous,” Russell mentioned. “We simply needed to get cracking with the event. It was clearly all the time supposed for Imola final week so we’re not simply going to sit down right here on efficiency and never use it.

“So yeah, maybe daring, however it was all the time the case to run this package deal in Monaco.”

Russell echoed Mercedes staff principal Toto Wolff’s feedback earlier within the week wherein he mentioned the staff should “watch out” not to attract too many conclusions from how the automotive performs in Monaco.

“We’re clearly conscious that this can be a very, one-of-a-kind circuit, and we’re not going to actually learn something into the efficiency that the brand new updates present this weekend,” Russell mentioned.

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Do not miss the Monaco Grand Prix stay this weekend on Sky Sports activities F1.

“There’s all the time outliers in groups who overperform round a monitor like Monaco and groups who underperform round Monaco, however in the end we do not design a automotive to be at its peak in Monaco.

“So we simply have to get by means of the weekend and take a overview as soon as we get to Barcelona and go from there.

“I do not suppose you will study quite a bit in any respect from a race weekend like this, so no matter we take away from this weekend, we’ll take with a pinch of salt and go into Barcelona with a clear slate.”

Hamilton: I am excited to really feel one thing completely different

Mercedes arrive in Monaco already dealing with a 128-point deficit to Purple Bull within the constructors’ standings simply 5 races into the season, however have been in an in depth battle with Aston Martin and Ferrari behind the pace-setters.

Russell’s team-mate Lewis Hamilton admitted final month that he was “counting the times” till Mercedes’ upgrades arrived, and says his pleasure stays regardless of Monaco not being a great circuit to introduce them.

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Lewis Hamilton insists he is comfortable at Mercedes and downplayed stories of a potential transfer to Ferrari.

“Sadly it could not have been a worse monitor for us to evaluate our upgrades,” Hamilton mentioned.

“It is not a downforce assessing circuit, it’s totally bumpy, the automotive’s fairly mushy, there’s a lot of roll and in addition mechanical grip is tremendous necessary right here.

“I feel Barcelona would be the place the place we get one of the best studying. I feel we’ve to tread fastidiously this weekend to ensure we do not get blindsided by completely different outcomes.

“However nonetheless, I am nonetheless excited, I am excited to really feel one thing completely different. I do not know what it’ll be, extra rear-end, extra front-end.”

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Sky F1’s Anthony Davidson takes a have a look at the long-lasting monitor forward of this weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix.

Whereas Hamilton, who’s looking for a file eighth world championship within the sport, is clearly enthused by the chance for a contemporary begin, he warned that there isn’t a instant prospect of catching Purple Bull.

“I simply have to say that this modification just isn’t going to place us forward of the Purple Bulls,” Hamilton mentioned. “It is not likely going to place us on their tail both, however hopefully that is simply turning the needle a bit bit and places us on a trajectory to catch them, hopefully.

“There’s lots of people on the staff which have had all of the success that we have had up to now and there is lots of people that have not had that success but and are tremendous hungry.

“I am actually inspired after I do return to the manufacturing facility and see simply how laborious everyone seems to be working.

“Final 12 months we had been a bit bit misplaced by way of find out how to repair the problems that we had, they now have the North Star, they know precisely the place they should go and we’re engaged on find out how to get there.”

Sky Sports activities F1‘s stay Monaco GP schedule

Friday Might 26
10.05am: F3 Qualifying
12pm: Monaco GP Follow One (session begins 12.30pm)
2.05pm: F2 Qualifying
3.45pm: Monaco GP Follow Two (session begins 4pm)
5.30pm: The F1 Present: Monaco

Saturday Might 27
9.55am: F3 Dash
11.15am: Monaco GP Follow Three (session begins 11.30am)
1.30pm: F2 Dash
2:30pm: Monaco GP Qualifying build-up
3pm: Monaco GP Qualifying
4.45pm: Ted’s Qualifying Pocket book

Sunday Might 28
7.15am: F3 Characteristic Race
8.45am: F2 Characteristic Race
12.30pm: Grand Prix Sunday Monaco GP build-up
2pm: THE MONACO GRAND PRIX
4pm: Chequered Flag Monaco GP response
5pm: Ted’s Pocket book
5.30pm: The 107th Indy 500

Formulation 1 now heads to the streets of Monaco for the sixth Grand Prix of the 2023 season – watch all of the motion on Sky Sports activities F1 from Might 26-28. Get Sky Sports activities