Russell: 'Obviously totally the wrong decision'

14:31, 04 Oct 2022
8 Comments

George Russell explains his decision to go to slicks during the Singapore race as brave, but agrees it was the wrong choice. In conversation with Motorsport.com he further looks back on the remarkable choice.

This weekend's Singapore Grand Prix was not a good race for Russell. The 11th starting position after a disappointing qualifying session turned into a pit start as his engine was tinkered with. During the race, Russell also collided with Mick Schumacher, after which the Mercedes driver could not get away from the rear and eventually finished 14th.

But surely the most distinctive feature of Russell's race was the early decision to switch to slicks. While the entire field was still running on intermediate tyres on the wet track, Russell switched to the slick tyres early on. It turned out to be the wrong choice: the Mercedes slid and skidded across the track, and soon he was almost a minute behind the lead car. Only in the final stages of the race did the slick tyre prove to have an advantage over the intermediate, but at that point, it was already too late for Russell to take any points.

'We had to try something anyway'

Speaking to Motorsport.com, Russell reflects back on this choice. "I thought, 'screw it, we have to try something'. I trusted the team, they trusted me, and they thought it was time to go to slicks. Obviously, it was totally the wrong decision at that moment." Still, Russell fully supports the reasoning. "In situations like this, you have to be audacious. On a track like this without DRS, the cars are nigh impossible to overtake. You have to try something."

In the end, Russell still managed to snatch the fastest lap from Sergio Perez. A small consolation, as Russell did not get an extra point for it as he finished lower than 10th place. Russell is currently just one point above Carlos Sainz in the championship standings.

8 Comments
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LH44 Hammer-time 04 October 2022 at 17:02+ 5809

It is beyond me that you people actually think russell is a better driver than Lewis. Early in the season Lewis was doing trial and error with the car to make the car better (for George benefit as well) while George was going along merrily racing his own race along with tons of luck with safety cars. As soon as that was over Lewis was hitting podium after podium beating George continuously. If there's no experimenting on next year's car, you'll see who is no. 1. At the same time if you are saying George is better than Lewis, then infact you are saying George is the best driver on the grid. Simple. I don't see any other 7x time champ on the grid, unless Michael Schumacher is there. Let me know if he is

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Ice 04 October 2022 at 17:56+ 10840

Oh you mean 7 time world winger he no proper champ

EF 05 October 2022 at 19:18+ 2532

You're right.. he's no proper champ.He did not win his championships in the FIA's office like your paper champ proudly did so.How could any driver that has won his championships on track, be a proper champ in a vegetable's mind?

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Mark from Canada 04 October 2022 at 16:57+ 10415

Dude has no idea they were using him as a guinea pig to determine when to put slicks on Toto's favourite driver's car. He'll make a good teammate yet, once Toto signs Lewis for 5 more years we'll be hearing a lot more of "George, this is James..." if they manage to build a car that can race at the front

EF 05 October 2022 at 19:13+ 2532

But it was ok for you when Hamilton was the guinea pig in the first half of the season and you had the opportunity to talk crap about him.Now it's wrong when it's Russell's turn to do that.

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Mark from Canada 05 October 2022 at 23:23+ 10415

You're inventing things. I rarely mention Hamilton compared to you people and your bizarre hatred of a certain other driver but that's completely expected from your crew

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Mech Engineer 04 October 2022 at 14:40+ 55040

In a Ferrari this year, which is clearly much faster than the Mercedes, it is interesting to note that Sainz is still behind in points compared to Russell. Either Russell is doing a fantastic job getting the most out of his car, or Sainz is just not able to get better results from his quick car. Its likely both, as Sainz is 35 points behind his team mate, while Russell is 33 points ahead of his. Absolutely no doubt as to who the No 1, better driver is at each of the teams.

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Ice 04 October 2022 at 14:49+ 10840

Well russell use to a poor car look last year at spa .and then you get lewis that cant drive poor car