Russell still concerned: "Inherent pace isn't there"

George Russell maintained his 100% record of finishing inside the top five during the 2022 Formula 1 season. Following a gamble that didn't pay off in qualifying, he finished behind teammate Lewis Hamilton who achieved his second podium of the season. Results are starting to improve for Mercedes, and Russell insists the pace is getting closer to leaders Red Bull and Ferrari.

Ever since the start of the season, Mercedes have been plagued by porpoising. It seemed less of an issue this weekend, and even during the race Toto Wolff claimed that they were matching the speed of the leaders. Russell also acknowledged that they were closer as he sees light at the end of the tunnel but knows work remains to be done.

"Our pace was certainly closer to Ferrari and Red Bull then we have seen all season. The inherent pace isn't there. The pace was really strong in the first stint and second stint but the final stint after the restart I just couldn't get the tyres working," Russell told Sky Sports after the Canadian Grand Prix.

Russell confirmed that Mercedes weren't suffering from porpoising in Montreal. "It was bumpy out there. The revisions that the FIA brought this weekend with the extra floor stay did nothing hence why we didn't race it. The angle of it didn't allow to hold the floor up. This global issue of the car is far from over," he concluded.