Mercedes driver George Russell conceded the workforce’s resolution to swap him with System 1 team-mate Kimi Antonelli on the finish of the Dutch Grand Prix was the “proper resolution” as they fought for second behind winner Lando Norris.
Antonelli and Russell had been working second and fourth, behind chief Norris and cut up by Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton, when a late digital security automotive for a stricken Esteban Ocon supplied one final twist in a chaotic afternoon at Zandvoort.
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Hamilton used the VSC scenario to make a less expensive pitstop for used delicate tyres on lap 56 of 72, which compelled a response out of Mercedes because it introduced in Antonelli to defend towards Ferrari’s undercut.
However Mercedes stored Russell out as a substitute, as he would have ended behind Hamilton anyway, successfully handing the Briton second on the highway forward of Antonelli and Hamilton.
On older onerous tyres, Russell quickly got here beneath strain from Antonelli earlier than he was ordered to let his championship-leading team-mate previous. Russell obeyed with out a lot delay, however not with out questioning the transfer as he tried to salvage a podium.
One other late VSC helped Russell defend third towards Hamilton, although, netting Mercedes a double podium on a day it was outperformed by McLaren for the second consecutive race weekend.
In hindsight, Russell admitted the swap was the proper resolution as a result of Antonelli would have handed him anyway on a lot faster tyres. “Kimi was forward of me anyway, so he deserved to complete forward,” Russell stated.
“Once you’re within the race, you wish to combat for each single place. However with the tempo, with the brand new tyre, he would have overtaken anyway, so it was the suitable resolution. I am simply joyful to be standing on the rostrum. It has been a short while for me. It has been a robust weekend general, so I am going to take the positives.”
Kimi Antonelli and George Russell took second and third
Photograph by: Clive Rose / System 1 through Getty Photographs
Antonelli thanked Russell for enjoying the workforce recreation, although he was involved by McLaren’s sturdy burst of tempo over the previous two race weekends,
“George was an incredible workforce participant and actually joyful for him to have held on to P3 as properly,” the Italian added as he strengthened his championship lead over Hamilton.
“It was a really intense race and I managed to get the lead. In stint one I felt okay, however then from stint two onwards, I simply did not have the sensation with the automotive. I used to be sliding loads general and on the finish Lando handed me and I knew I had no likelihood after that.
“We have to discover a bit little bit of time as a result of McLaren have made an enormous step.”
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Images from Dutch GP – Sunday
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