George Russell slams Mercedes pit strategy after second place in Spanish Grand Prix

Mercedes driver George Russell started from pole position at the Spanish Grand Prix and finished second, securing 18 championship points – a marked improvement after two point‑less races. He praised Lewis Hamilton’s race‑win and Ferrari’s pace but said Mercedes’ early call to pit on medium tyres cost him a chance at victory.

Russell explained that the car felt strong on the mediums in the opening stint and he expected a three‑stop plan that matched his driving style. The team’s decision to switch to a two‑stop strategy forced him to manage the tyres harder toward the end, which he described as “challenging”. He also noted the Virtual Safety Car period helped Hamilton and Ferrari, but argued the race could have unfolded differently without it. Russell said he will discuss the strategy with the team to avoid similar issues in future races.