Mercedes rued a missed chance to secure a third straight podium at the start of the Formula 1 season after the Japanese Grand Prix unfolded at Suzuka.
George Russell and Kimi Antonelli crossed the line in fifth and sixth places, respectively, bringing Russell’s run of third-place finishes to an abrupt halt.
The British driver had shown promise of battling for another podium during practice sessions at the iconic circuit.
However, their qualifying efforts fell short, leaving the team on the back foot for race day.
Team principal Toto Wolff, absent from the Japan trip, pinpointed the circuit’s layout and race strategy as key hurdles that stifled their progress.
“Japan was a missed opportunity,” Wolff said ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix. “We had strong pace in practice but couldn’t carry that into qualifying. That compromised our Sunday result.
Suzuka’s a tough track for overtaking, and with the race settling into a straightforward one-stop strategy, our drivers had little room to climb the order.”
Despite the disappointment, Wolff highlighted bright spots from the weekend. He argued that the W16 car continues to prove its worth in the early stages of the 2025 season.
The Austrian suggested that a cleaner qualifying lap could have changed their fortunes, particularly for Russell, who faltered at the start of his final Q3 effort.
“There are positives to build on,” Wolff reflected. “The car showed its potential again, and had we avoided that mistake in qualifying, a podium was within reach for George.”
Mercedes now turn their attention to the Bahrain Grand Prix, set for April 13, where teams will tackle 57 laps of the 5.412-kilometre Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir. After a tantalisingly close miss in Japan, the Silver Arrows are eager to reclaim their spot on the rostrum.
