Russell ‘Struggling’ for Confidence as He Eyes ‘Damage Limitation’ in Miami

Miami, FL – George Russell has admitted he’s currently “struggling for confidence” in the Mercedes W15 as the team prepares for the Miami Grand Prix this weekend. After a mixed start to the 2025 Formula 1 season, Russell revealed that he and the team are approaching the race with a focus on damage limitation rather than outright pace.

"It’s been tough," Russell told reporters during Thursday’s press conference. "We’re still not where we want to be with the car. The confidence just isn’t there yet — especially in low-speed corners, where we're losing a lot of time."

Mercedes Still Searching for Pace

While Mercedes has shown glimpses of improvement, consistency has been a major issue. Russell’s struggles echo those of teammate Andrea Kimi Antonelli, as both drivers continue to wrestle with setup challenges and unpredictable balance.

"Right now, it’s about minimizing losses," Russell continued. "We know Miami might not be our strongest track, so the focus is on getting clean laps in, scoring points, and bringing the car home."

A Tactical Weekend Ahead

Russell’s remarks suggest that Mercedes could opt for a more conservative strategy in Miami, banking on reliability and race execution rather than risking it all on outright performance.

What This Means for the Championship

While still early in the season, every point counts. Russell’s measured mindset could prove valuable in a tightly contested midfield, especially with Red Bull, Ferrari, and McLaren showing strong form in recent races.