Mercedes questions tyre strategy after Russell's slowdown at Barcelona GP

George Russell qualified on pole and led the early stages of the Barcelona Grand Prix, ultimately finishing second. After the race, Russell and Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff said the drop‑off in pace was likely due to tyre degradation, especially on the hard compound, which felt unsuitable to the British driver.

Mercedes had stuck to a two‑stop plan while Lewis Hamilton switched to a three‑stop strategy. Wolff noted that the team needs to analyse why Russell's strong start on medium tyres could not be maintained on the hard tyres later in the race. Russell echoed the view, saying the hard tyre stint never gave him the rhythm he needed and that Ferrari’s overall speed, rather than strategy or the virtual safety car, decided the outcome.