Japanese Grand Prix: George Russell expresses disappointment over safety car timing following fourth-place result
George Russell mentioned that a differently timed safety car could have resulted in “victory on my side” following his Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli’s win at the Japanese Grand Prix on Sunday.
The Italian teenager Antonelli secured his second victory in consecutive races, propelling him to the top of the drivers’ standings, aided by a pit stop in Suzuka after Ollie Bearman crashed out at over 300 kph.
The timing of the ensuing safety car disrupted Russell’s chances as he fell from second to third, and a subsequent battery issue allowed both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc to overtake him.
Russell managed to pass Hamilton to finish fourth, but he now trails his Mercedes teammate Antonelli by nine points.
His difficulties came just two weeks after he experienced a breakdown during qualifying in China, which allowed Antonelli a clear path to pole position, a chance he converted into his first win.
Russell, a pre-season championship contender, stated: “At the moment, it is just one thing after the other.”
“Racing can favor you, but it can also work against you, and currently, every issue we are facing is on my side of the garage, and I am the one enduring that struggle.”
“Sometimes drivers encounter problems during practice. We have not faced a single issue in practice, but I have had challenges in qualifying instead. It is the luck of the draw with these new cars.”
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“However, it is race three of 22, and I am not worried at all. It is a long season, and I am confident in my ability to recover. I won’t dwell on it.”
Mercedes has made a robust start in this year’s world championship, having triumphed in all three races thus far.
Russell commenced the season strongly with a victory in Melbourne, but Antonelli, in only his second season on the grid, has responded with two wins.
When asked if he was concerned that momentum might be shifting towards the Italian, Russell replied: “No, not at all. If the safety car had come out one lap earlier today, the victory would have been mine, and I am confident in that.”
“In China, without the qualifying issue, I was three tenths ahead in sprint qualifying, so perhaps I could have secured pole there and won. It is just how it unfolds.”
“We have a four-week break, so there is no momentum to carry over. We will reset and prepare for the next race.”
Russell outperformed Antonelli significantly in his first season with the Brackley team. However, the 19-year-old has emerged as a formidable championship contender.
On Sunday, he became the first Italian driver since the legendary Alberto Ascari in 1953 to win consecutive races and the first teenager ever to lead the title race.
“I’m not overly focused on the championship,” Antonelli remarked. “Of course, it’s fantastic, but there is still a long way to go.”
“We need to continue raising the bar because George is very fast, and he will certainly return to his usual form.”
Information from PA contributed to this report.
Source: espn.com
