Mercedes wary of Suzuka winds despite solid Friday pace

George Russell leads a strong Mercedes start in Japan, but changing winds and forecasted rain could upset their Grand Prix strategy.

Mercedes had a productive first day on track at the Japanese Grand Prix, but unpredictable weather and shifting winds could bring new challenges as the weekend unfolds.

George Russell: “Positive Day, But the Wind Will Change Everything”

George Russell kicked off the Suzuka weekend with confidence, showing strong pace from the start. The Brit was quick to highlight the positives while staying realistic about what’s to come.

“First off, I’m glad Jack Doohan is okay after that big crash — it was a serious one. Hopefully, he’s back in the car tomorrow,” Russell said, speaking as president of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association, where he often pushes for improved safety.

“As for us, it was a solid day. The car felt good, but we’re expecting big changes tomorrow with the wind shifting direction — that could really impact things. McLaren looks strong again, and a few other teams are in the mix too.”

Russell pointed out how tightly packed the field is: “It’s unusual to see so many teams so close. We’ll need to bring our A-game to fight for the front rows in qualifying. I’m confident that if we execute well, we can be right up there.”

Friday’s second session (FP2) was cut short due to multiple red flags, leaving teams with limited long-run data.

“We only got four laps in on the hard tyre, so we’re lacking info on degradation and how it handles over distance. And with possible rain on Sunday, anything can happen. But overall, being near the top of the timesheets today gives us a strong foundation.”

Kimi Antonelli: “Suzuka Is Just Incredible”

Young Mercedes prospect Andrea Kimi Antonelli had his first taste of Suzuka — and he loved it.

“It’s my first time here, and wow, what a track! It’s so fun to drive. I’m still building confidence, but I’m enjoying every lap,” he said.

Antonelli had a cleaner run in FP1 but struggled a bit in the second session: “FP2 was messy. I didn’t hook up a proper lap and struggled a bit in sector one. We’ll dive into the data tonight and come back stronger. There are positive signs, and George has been fast all day, which is encouraging.”

Trackside Engineering Director Andrew Shovlin: “Strong Start, but Big Changes Ahead”

Mercedes’ engineering chief Andrew Shovlin was satisfied with the team’s opening day in Japan.

“It was a good start to the weekend. We ran all three tyre compounds, looked at the newly resurfaced first sector, and got a solid read on the car’s balance. George looked strong from the first lap — fast in FP1 and consistent in his long runs.”

Shovlin noted that FP2 was more chaotic, limiting the team’s learning: “There were four red flags, so it wasn’t easy to collect meaningful data. For Kimi, it’s his first time here, and Suzuka really demands commitment. He grew into it throughout the day, and I’m sure he’ll take a step forward tomorrow.”

One big variable? The wind.

“It’s going to flip 180 degrees tomorrow, which can really throw off the car’s balance here. We’ll use the simulator overnight to prep for that. Plus, there’s still a chance of rain on Sunday.”

Even with the uncertainty, Shovlin remains optimistic: “McLaren looks like the team to beat again, but this was an encouraging start. Hopefully, we’ll be in the fight for a podium come Sunday.”

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Russell upbeat at Suzuka, but shifting wind a concern
Russell upbeat at Suzuka, but shifting wind a concern