George Russell believes his “pure driving type has labored nicely” with the present era of System 1 vehicles and is one more reason behind his wonderful qualifying document in 2024.
Russell ended the earlier marketing campaign with a 24-6 qualifying cut up towards his now former Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton and in addition completed one place above the seven-time world champion within the drivers’ standings.
When requested if he felt his driving type complimented the wants of the present ground-effect-cars/18-inch Pirelli tyres for getting the very best leads to qualifying throughout an interview with choose media together with Motorsport.com, Russell replied: “I feel in all probability my pure driving type has labored nicely in these vehicles.
“However, equally, my qualifying document towards my team-mates within the earlier era was good and in each class my qualifying information have been sturdy.”
On the identical time, Russell sought to minimize a potential hyperlink, saying “I do not suppose there’s something specific with this era” earlier than including “however, clearly, Lewis has been my hardest team-mate, so I feel that is why it has been highlighted a bit extra”.
However Russell’s minimalist type means he can work the Pirelli rubber significantly nicely for qualifying.
This doesn’t reply nicely to being overstressed, as Hamilton has discovered very difficult on this period along with his extra edgy steering inputs and desire for late-braking whereas retaining excessive entry velocity and a full of life rear finish.
Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes-AMG F1 Staff and George Russell, Mercedes-AMG F1 Staff
Photograph by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Photographs
Russell, in the meantime, takes straighter line trajectories by means of corners, which includes braking barely later however more durable, then holding a single decisive steering enter that total reduces vitality spikes and extra temperature going into the tyres.
On his strategy, Russell additionally mentioned “expertise is a large a part of it” now he’s six seasons into his F1 profession.
“You study because the season goes on what you want to do to get probably the most out of the tyres, what’s the place you’ll be able to exploit the automotive’s strengths, the place you want to watch out of the automotive’s weaknesses,” he added.
“[Late in 2024], I do know precisely the place the strengths and the weaknesses are and the issues I must look out for.
“However, however, I feel all people positive factors that have because the season goes on.
“But additionally coping with unfavorable outcomes – I feel I have been fairly good at simply closing that chapter and shifting on and studying from it, whereas I feel my youthful self would in all probability dwell on one thing a bit longer.
“I bear in mind in 2022 I had a run of actually dangerous races. It was the primary time that season I used to be off the tempo in comparison with Lewis.
“It was type of the primary time in my profession I have been off the tempo and that in all probability hindered me for one or two extra races [than it should have].
“Whereas, now, even in an FP3 session, if I am behind him, and even within the Q2 session, if I am behind him, I do not stress. I do know it does not matter what’s occurred earlier than.
“It’s that one lap in Q3 that may make a distinction.”
On this article
Alex Kalinauckas
System 1
George Russell
Mercedes
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