Sakhir Grand Prix – Russell, cut short by Mercedes

Since the announcement of the replacement of Lewis Hamilton, who tested positive for COVID-19, George Russell has been in the groove with Mercedes. After leading the first two practice sessions and qualifying just 26 thousandths behind his teammate, the young driver became disillusioned.

A controlled race

Starting from the front row, he had a very good launch to take the lead of the race from the first corner over Bottas. Both Mercedes maintained their positions despite their medium tires. After the safety car, Russell restarted cleanly and was able to build a consistent gap over the laps.

His first stop was very smooth, he gently entered the spot and the stop was well executed. Upon exiting, the problems began, as he suffered a loss of power on his single-seater. He then had to input corrections on a steering wheel he’s only known for 3 days, but he managed and regained his pace.

When the safety car was deployed due to Aitken’s off-track excursion, his replacement at Williams, Mercedes called in both of their drivers, with Russell first. Even though his hard tires only have 16 laps, the driver complies and pits. Confusion ensues at Mercedes, leading to a rare mistake.

While preparing a double stop for Russell/Bottas, the mechanics brought out the sets of tires for both drivers. In the rush, the mechanic for the right rear tire swapped the tires between Russell and Bottas! Bottas’s subsequent stop was ruined as he initially fitted medium tires, but realizing their mistake, Mercedes switched to hard tires with over 20 laps on the clock.

Equipped with the wrong tires, Russell had to pit once more to switch to a set of medium tires that belonged to him. Coming out in 5th, he could still hope for victory at this point in the Grand Prix.

The Englishman came out more motivated than ever. After a better start than Bottas, he overtakes him before Turn 8 in a sequence of complex corners, but the maneuver is sublime. Then at the end of the start-finish straight, Stroll is overtaken by Russell just like Ocon the following lap. With an excellent pace and 13 laps to go, he catches up with Perez.

Twist of fate

But with 10 laps to go, fate strikes again. Peter Bonnington, his engineer, announces a slow puncture on the left rear and Russell is forced to pit. Rejoining in 15th place with his soft tires, he finishes the race 9th, scoring his first points in Formula 1. He was under investigation for fitting the wrong tires but the FIA showed leniency since the team sabotaged its two drivers’ race with its own mistake.

« It’s a mix of emotions, seeing the victory slip away once was already very disappointing, then we came back, I was fast on Checo [Perez], I had made some beautiful overtakes, and again a puncture so I couldn’t believe it. The feeling in the car was horrible but I am proud of the work I did. Of course, it would have been amazing to win the race, but with such a race I can’t be satisfied. » he announced visibly disappointed and bitter on the Canal + microphone.

George Russell was exemplary throughout the weekend, delivering a performance worthy of Hamilton. He made no mistakes; only Mercedes made one and then fate played its part. He showed us the harshness of this sport capable of showcasing the greatest hopes as well as the biggest disappointments.