Mercedes’ George Russell has argued that beginning work in advance on Formula 1‘s regulation switch in 2026 won’t guarantee success as it is like “digging for gold”.
The pack will encounter an added challenge next season as teams will have to balance developing their latest cars with an attention to the next-generation machines.
This will pose an even greater demand on those at the sharp end as the leading sides will have to weigh up how much to invest in a possible championship challenge.
The dilemma ahead will be increased amid the FIA’s imposed ban on wind tunnel and CFD testing until 2025 to avoid the better-resources squads gaining a headstart.
But while that wasn’t in place prior to the rule change in 2022, Russell highlighted how in-season development had no bearing on the pecking order in the next season.
Mercedes ceased work on the 2021 car much before Red Bull despite being engaged in a title duel, but still started the next era on the backfoot compared to its rivals.
Asked whether Mercedes’ upgrade package in Austin would give a hint as to what will happen in 2025, Russell told media including Motorsport Week: “I don’t think so.
“If you look at 2021, Mercedes stopped developing for that year’s car and focused on the 2022 car very early. Whereas Red Bull continued to develop the 2021 car.
“By the end of that season, Mercedes were the quickest car. Then you went into 2022 and then Red Bull were the quickest car.
“We’re going to have to assess, come the start of next year, how much you continue to develop the 2025 car. Ultimately, it’s like digging for gold.
“For the 2026 regulations, you’re digging, but you don’t know if you’re digging in the right places.”
2026 gains will ramp up with track time
Russell has admitted that it won’t be until the all-new 2026 cars venture out onto a real track that the teams will begin to make their largest inroads with development.
“Ultimately, when you start and you drive the car for the first time, that’s when people are going to start making the biggest gains,” the Briton concluded.
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