'We’re going to have to suck it up' - George Russell concedes to key F1 driver concern

George Russell has addressed concerns over the issues posed by the current generation of F1 car, detailing drivers will have to “suck it up” until the end of the year.

F1 is in its fourth year of the ongoing regulation cycle before the cars for 2026 undergo a major change.

The current challengers have posed concerns for teams since their introduction in 2022, with the biggest immediate concern being porpoising. However, that effect was dramatically reduced in the opening months of the season.

But in the years that have followed, the cars have struggled to be successfully developed as new parts sometimes resulted in teams losing form on the track.

F1 squads are also increasingly navigating balance concerns with the ground effect cars, a matter that has been present at Mercedes.

However, Russell is confident the situation has improved for the Brackley-based team during the winter break.

“It’s definitely better, there’s no doubt about it, I think it's slightly easier to control,” Russell told media including RacingNews365.

“We probably haven't made the step that we were hoping but ultimately, it all comes down to the lap time.

“Even when I spoke with Lando [Norris] and Oscar [Piastri], they weren't saying that their [McLaren] car feels incredible to drive.

“It’s obviously just going around the track half a second a lap quicker than everybody else.”

Mercedes has been unable to consistently compete at the front of the field across the last three years, enduring fluctuating form.

Although Mercedes' balance woes have improved for 2025, Russell is expecting the team will still run into some difficulties in the season ahead.

“With these regulations, they're never going to feel nice to drive or as nice to drive as they felt three years ago,” he said.

“We’re all going to have to suck that up for another year, make the best of this tricky era that we're we're all in.

“I think next year, it seems all a bit more conventional.”