George Russell stated that his two practice starts during the 2026 Formula 1 test sessions were “inferior” to his poorest performance to date, noting that Ferrari appeared to have the most effective starts.
Modifications to the starting sequence for races have emerged as a significant subject of discussion in the pre-season, since drivers are now mandated to idle their engines for a minimum of ten seconds to activate the turbocharger.
This alteration stems from updated rules that eliminate the MGU-H component from the power unit, an element previously responsible for enabling the notably seamless and immediate race starts observed in prior seasons.
Consequently, these starts are now more intricate, leading to differing viewpoints: Andrea Stella, McLaren’s team principal, advocated for “essential” safety modifications, while Lewis Hamilton disputed this, asserting that they are not “perilous.”
Russell shared his perspective on the situation during Friday’s testing session in Bahrain, remarking: “I believe we possess considerable inherent capability, but to secure a victory in a race, one must also execute a proficient launch from the starting grid.”
“My two initial attempts this week were poorer than any start I’ve ever had in Formula 1, and Lewis, who began from P11 [on the grid, P5 in sequence], managed to advance to P1.”
“Therefore, at this juncture, I believe your overall speed is less critical. The primary obstacle that will hinder your progress is this most formidable challenge.”
“This is precisely what we are attempting to comprehend at present, and we are encountering difficulties with certain aspects currently.”
Russell’s comments alluded to Hamilton’s practice launch conducted on Thursday, an integral part of the standard system evaluations during the testing period, during which the Ferrari competitor overtook multiple vehicles to secure the leading position.
“The Ferrari engine unit appeared exceptionally powerful during starts,” commented Kimi Antonelli, Russell’s colleague. “However, we implemented numerous modifications today. Towards the rear of the grid, the start performance seemed significantly improved, making a proper test on the actual grid impractical.”
“Candidly, it has constituted a minor vulnerability for our team. The procedure is highly intricate, and I simply must execute it flawlessly. Much effort remains, yet I believe we achieved substantial progress today.”
There is a common consensus that race starts will hold greater significance this season, especially during the initial races, given that an incorrect timing of the procedure could cause the vehicle to enter an anti-stall state.
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Photo by: Rudy Carezzevoli / Getty Images
Oscar Piastri had previously asserted that such an error could lead to a loss of as many as “seven positions,” and the practice starts conducted this week have demonstrated the potential for rapid shifts in the grid order at the beginning of a race.
“I considered my practice start yesterday to be reasonably acceptable. I began from the back, yet I believe I overtook roughly four other vehicles. Thus, I perceive the current situation as highly unpredictable,” the McLaren driver commented on Friday.
“We are all in the process of discovering the elements that contribute to an effective start versus a poor one. There are some quite significant hazards one might encounter if difficulties arise. However, merely handling the power delivery and the prescribed sequence is itself a distinct challenge.”
“Moreover, the method by which we execute starts is considerably more arduous than in the previous year. There is abundant power available, and the MGU-K engages at a specific moment, rendering it more complex from every viewpoint.”
“I believe that what we are observing presently is some individuals performing correctly while others are making considerable errors. Consequently, I anticipate that, particularly in the initial few races, we might witness starts that resemble those observed this week.”
“However, we should begin to align, ideally quite rapidly, if one finds themselves on the less favorable end of that spectrum.”
