George Russell makes McLaren quip on day of F1 crack down

George Russell had to laugh after witnessing McLaren showing no signs of slowing down despite the FIA cracking down on front-wing flexing.

For this weekend's Spanish Grand Prix, the FIA has introduced new load tests for the front wings that must not flex more than 10mm when weights are applied evenly across the component. Under previous rules, it was 15mm.

Many observers have long felt that McLaren would feel the impact of the rules, yet following Friday practice at Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya, Lando Norris topped FP1, and championship-leading team-mate Oscar Piastri was quickest in FP2.

There was additional surprise when the FIA document emerged pre-practice that highlighted no changes to the MCL39, unlike the majority of its rivals, who all announced new front wings in compliance with the regulations.

Russell, second quickest at the end of second practice, 0.286s adrift of Piastri, was asked whether he had felt any difference with the new wings on the cars.

Sarcastically, Russell joked: "It's clearly slowed McLaren down a lot! Yeah, good news!"

Russell airs Mercedes concern

Overall, Russell was happy to find himself back in the mix at the front of the field following two difficult grands prix in Imola and Monaco.

Mercedes predominantly struggled across both weekends, scoring just six points from Russell's seventh place in Imola. In Monaco, the team failed to score a point for the first time in 29 races.

With team-mate Kimi Antonelli sixth on the timesheet, a quarter of a second adrift of Russell, the Briton feels on one-lap pace, the team will be challenging the McLaren duo and Red Bull's Max Verstappen for high grid slots.

Russell, though, does have a niggling worry. "In the quali runs, we looked pretty decent, so it was nice to be back where the car has been after some tough races," he said.

"Nevertheless, the long-run pace doesn't look superb, and that has been an objective of ours recently to try and improve that.

"So we need to go through the data, we need to compare how we fill out compared to our rivals, but definitely the long-run pace is a small concern."

Generally, though, Russell feels he is "in a good place", although the sweltering conditions are playing a part.

"I'm enjoying driving this circuit," he said. "It felt good out there. It's hot, a bit stinky, so let's see what the next two days bring."