Mercedes 'scratching heads' over substantial Las Vegas advantage

George Russell has conceded Mercedes has been left “scratching our heads” following a strong opening day in Las Vegas.

Russell's team-mate Lewis Hamilton topped both practice sessions on Thursday evening, while Russell classified second and third respectively.

It marked a strong bounce back for the Brackley-based squad who endured a dismal Sao Paulo Grand Prix earlier this month.

Russell asserted Mercedes has no answer as to why its performance is so strong around the Las Vegas Strip Circuit.

“Incredible day,” Russell said. “I'd love to tell you why, to be honest, we are scratching our heads a little bit, why it was so, so positive.

“Obviously, it was only practice. Lewis did a really great job out there as well. He's been really on it since lap one, but the car has just been working. 

“We're on a street track, it’s really dirty, it's getting faster and faster every lap.

“Because we were fast today, it doesn't necessarily mean we're going to replicate it tomorrow, when the track will be probably three seconds faster. So, pleasantly surprising.”

Mercedes F1 advantage during practice 'substantial'

Mercedes has often sprung out of the gates with a fast car on Friday before slipping back in the order as the weekend progresses.

Russell refuted the suggestion that Mercedes has “lost” performance as he pointed out rival teams have sandbagged during the opening day of the weekend.

“It's definitely not a fear,” he said. “I think the perception of us losing performance is maybe not quite fair.

“I think it's more of a function that our competitors don't use their high power. They might be running a bit more fuel than us on a Friday, so historically, they've been sandbagging a little bit more, and when they take it off, they go into their normal position.”

While Russell conceded that may also be the case in Las Vegas, he hopes for a better showing for Mercedes due to the significant advantage it had in practice.

“There's a possibility that will happen again tomorrow, but the gap we showed this morning and this evening has been pretty substantial.

“But I'm sure the other rivals are going to work hard overnight and close that gap, but I just hope we can continue the form.”