Why it matters: Mercedes' recent struggles were tied to an upgraded W16 rear suspension, which George Russell jokingly said worked for him because it was "slower," despite acknowledging overall worse results. The team has now binned the upgrade, with positive effects seen in Hungary.
The big picture: Mercedes introduced a new rear suspension at Imola, which team principal Toto Wolff later admitted caused instability and eroded driver confidence. The team reverted to the old setup for the Hungarian Grand Prix after realizing the upgrade was detrimental, despite a misleading win in Montreal.
Driving style differences: While Russell humorously claimed the "slower" upgrade suited him, he also admitted both drivers struggled with it. Kimi Antonelli reportedly found it more challenging, highlighting how driving styles can interact differently with car setups.
What's next: Russell's return to the podium in Hungary, along with Antonelli scoring points, indicates the team is back on track after removing the problematic upgrade. Russell admitted the team might have been "too slow" to react, but emphasized the need to fully evaluate upgrades before reversing. Mercedes aims to regain championship confidence.