Russell reveals Mercedes are working 'bloody hard' to catch McLaren in passionate message

Mercedes sit second in the constructors championship on 147 points, 132 points behind championship leaders McLaren. Although the Brackley-based team are yet to win a race so far, their season has kicked off on the right foot.

George Russell has only finished outside the top five once this season. Last weekend in Imola, Russell finished seventh after starting from third place. It was a tough weekend for the Silver Arrows, as home hero Kimi Antonelli retired due to a mechanical failure. Mercedes revealed what went wrong with the 18-year-old's car in their post-race debrief.

In the paddock in Imola, The Brit was asked how hard it was to catch leaders McLaren, who are clear favourites for their second consecutive constructors title. "Yeah, it's very challenging, because there's nothing that's standing out about how we could make such a step with what McLaren seemingly has to be honest," Russell explained to GPblog and others.

The Woking-based team have won five of the first seven races and led both world championships after the first quarter of the season. Australian Oscar Piastri has impressed this season and has won four races.  

Russell points to similarities with Mercedes' domination from 2014-2021, where they won eight consecutive constructors titles. The three-time Grand Prix winner believes that the only solution is to keep working hard in order to battle with McLaren.