George Russell: Hard Tires Could Be Mercedes’ Only Boost in Hot Spanish GP

Mercedes faces a tough challenge at the Spanish Grand Prix due to soaring track temperatures. George Russell points to the selection of hard tire compounds as the team’s only hope for a stronger outcome.

Russell and newcomer Andrea Kimi Antonelli logged lengthy runs during Friday’s second practice, with Russell completing 18 laps and Antonelli 16 on the soft tire. The data revealed a pattern that has troubled Mercedes all season: while the team often shows qualifying speed, staying in the mix for positions two to five, they consistently struggle on race day when tire degradation becomes critical.

During qualifying at Barcelona, Russell secured fourth place and Antonelli took sixth, signaling solid one-lap pace. However, both drivers voiced concerns about the car’s tendency to overheat tires on hot Sundays.

The 2025 Mercedes W16, which has shown strength in cooler events such as last year’s Las Vegas Grand Prix, continues to suffer on tracks where thermal management is tested, especially around the rear axle. Compared to soft rubber, the hardest C1 compound, one of Pirelli’s three choices for this race, offers more stability under excessive heat.

Russell explained that even a 10-degree rise in tire temperature affects softer compounds more severely than it does the hards, making the latter Mercedes’ main asset to limit performance drop-off if overheating occurs.

Efforts to tweak the car setup for Barcelona included significant changes aimed at improving race pace. But Russell admits these modifications did not hurt qualifying efforts, yet their benefit for the race remains uncertain.

The Mercedes camp is realistic as the team prepares to fight through high temperatures, banking on the harder compounds to keep their tires within a more manageable window. In previous hot events like Bahrain, the harder tires helped Mercedes finish second, providing a glimmer of hope that the team could replicate that resilience in Spain.

Antonelli, who is racing at Barcelona after taking sixth on the grid, echoed Russell’s reservations while acknowledging the extensive data collected from long practice stints. He mentioned that reverting to an earlier suspension setup helped recapture the better qualifying pace, which had dipped in recent outings at Imola and Monaco.

However, race conditions are expected to be much more demanding, with tire management remaining a central concern for the team. Antonelli underlined that while qualifying form has improved, the true measure will come over the race distance, especially as competitors like Red Bull and Ferrari have shown strong long-run speed.

Mercedes’ ability to maximize tire performance on Sunday will likely determine whether they can retain a competitive edge or slide down the order as the track heats up. Strategic calls related to tire usage, especially around when to switch between compounds, will play a decisive role.

Team engineers and the drivers will be watching temperature data closely, hoping that the harder rubber really does offer the silver lining Russell suggested.

The Spanish Grand Prix stands as another important test for the 2025 Mercedes squad as they continue their search for balance and consistency amid challenging conditions.

With the recent qualifying gains and a clear focus on tire strategy, all eyes are on how the team will adapt during what’s set to be a scorching and unpredictable race at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.