George Russell expressed optimism about Mercedes’ prospects for Qualifying at the Japanese Grand Prix, describing Friday’s practice sessions as “pretty positive” for the team. The British driver believes the Silver Arrows are well-positioned to challenge for a spot in the top four on the grid following a productive day of running at the iconic Suzuka Circuit.
Friday’s practice sessions saw Mercedes display encouraging pace, with Russell finishing second in Free Practice 1, just 0.163 seconds behind McLaren’s Lando Norris, who set the fastest time of the session. Despite a red flag-interrupted Free Practice 2, where Alpine’s Jack Doohan suffered a heavy crash, Russell remained upbeat about the team’s performance. “It’s been a pretty positive day, to be honest,” Russell said after stepping out of the car. “The car felt good, and we’ve got a solid base to work from.”
Russell’s confidence stems from the improved balance of the Mercedes W16, which has shown consistency across the opening races of the 2025 season. While McLaren has emerged as the early benchmark, locking out the front row in Australia and maintaining strong form, Russell believes Mercedes is closing the gap. “We’re definitely in the mix,” he noted. “McLaren are still the ones to beat, but I think we’ve got a chance to fight for those front two rows tomorrow.”
The Suzuka Circuit, known for its demanding layout and passionate fans, provided a challenging backdrop for Friday’s running. The day was not without incident, as Doohan’s crash in FP2 brought out the first of two red flags, briefly halting proceedings. Russell was quick to acknowledge the Australian driver’s safety, saying, “Firstly, glad to see Jack was okay – it looked like there’s not much he could have done there. It’s always concerning when you see such a big crash.”
Despite the interruptions, Mercedes made the most of their track time, gathering valuable data ahead of Saturday’s Qualifying session. Russell highlighted the team’s focus on fine-tuning the car’s setup, though he remained cautious about potential changes in track conditions. “The balance feels good, but we’ve got to keep an eye on how the track evolves,” he added. “It’s Suzuka – anything can happen.”
Mercedes’ strong showing comes as the team looks to build on an encouraging start to the 2025 season. With Russell taking on the role of de facto team leader following Lewis Hamilton’s departure to Ferrari, the 27-year-old has consistently extracted the maximum from the W16. His new teammate, rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli, also impressed, finishing ninth in FP1 despite a brief off-track excursion at Turn 11.