Will another boring F1 race strike this evening’s Mexico City GP? According to Mercedes’ George Russell, he says the racing has become increasingly predictable in 2025. And that track position and tyre management leave little room for racing beyond turn one.
Ahead of the Mexico City GP, Russell, who starts in fourth, said Austin last week was another boring f1 race that typified the problem. “Even before the race, you have the feeling that wherever you position yourself after the first corner, that’s where you’ll end up. And unfortunately that’s exactly what’s happened lately,” said Russell.
MEXICO CITY ANOTHER BORING F1 RACE?
“Right now, qualifying and the first corner decide the race. There’s no tyre degradation. There’s only three-tenths of a second between the fastest and slowest cars in the top six, and you normally need at least half a second to make an overtake. So, if I finish the first corner in P3, I’m on the podium. But instead, I came out in P6 in Austin … and that’s how I finished,” Russell explained.
Furthermore, Russell says a lack of strategy variation is sapping life from the racing. The Briton pointed to Pirelli’s more durable compounds as a factor. “Ideally, you need tyres that allow you to push hard, but that wear out after 15 laps. That way you can have either two or three pitstops per race. But Pirelli has it tough either way. If the tyres wear too much, people complain the drivers can’t push. If they don’t wear, it’s another boring F1 race,” bemoaned Russell.
OVERTAKING DIFFICULT
McLaren’s Lando Norris, who starts on pole in Mexico, fought hard to pass Charles Leclerc for second place in Austin a week ago. “I really struggled to get past Charles. I have no idea how it’s going to work next year with all the new battery and energy regulations. But I’m sure it’ll be a lot better just because there’s less downforce and less grip,” Norris said.
“The cars won’t look anywhere near as cool. They’ll be slower in the corners, but quicker in the straights for a few seconds. So, I think the racing will probably be a bit better in 2026,” concluded Norris. The Mexico City Grand Prix starts just before 22h00 this evening – with GMM
What do you think? Do you agree with Russell? And do you expect the racing to be better in 2026? Or does the 2025 season still have some excitement in store?
