Russell says he is psychologically better prepared for 2021
After going through all the emotions in 2020, George Russell turned to a psychologist to help him face 2021 and beyond.
The 2020 season was unusual in more ways than one, and George Russell won’t contradict that.
Developing a Williams slightly better than the one from 2019 but not yet at the level of the midfield, Russell stood out for his good performances at the back of the grid, notably thanks to his numerous appearances in Q2.
The Sakhir Grand Prix, dazzling but so frustrating
But it was in Sakhir that Russell’s season took on a whole new dimension. Replacing Lewis Hamilton, who was struck by Covid-19, Russell lit up the entire F1 paddock for a weekend.
Missing by 82 thousandths of a second from his first pole in F1, beaten by his teammate of the day Bottas (the first time in his career where a teammate beat him in qualifying), George took off perfectly before leading the entire first half of the Grand Prix.
The rest is known: during the Safety Car caused by Jack Aitken, his replacement at Williams, Russell’s race is weighed down by the confusion in the Mercedes stand, and a puncture at the end of the race will put an end to his victory ambitions.
The example of Rosberg and Grosjean
At that moment, Russell was physically and mentally drained and understood that it would be wise to consult a psychologist for the following season and his future ambitions.
« I feel stronger and stronger about this. The more time passes since I went through those difficult moments, the more I’ve learned that talking about it with the right person is necessary,” Russell told The i. « Of course, talking to your family and friends is all well and good, but getting professional advice was really important.”
The young Briton is not the first F1 driver to resort to a psychologist. Nico Rosberg and Romain Grosjean have already called upon specialists at a key moment in their careers. And for Russell, there is no doubt that it is the most powerful tool.
« I think that so many people, men in particular, see psychology as a weakness, which is absolutely not the case. Your mind is the most powerful tool of your body ».
Russell: « If I want to win races and championships, I can’t let these difficult moments linger on me »
The 2018 Formula 2 champion is pragmatic. He knows that in his quest for victories and world titles, the mental aspect is crucial.
« If I want to win races and championships, I can’t let these difficult moments linger on me. I qualified P2 in Sakhir and I was disappointed. My best qualifying position so far was P12, which I was absolutely thrilled about, and then I qualified second and I was disappointed. These are the moments that I need to learn to handle better. »
In any case, Russell only retained the positive from these experiences, even though painful. He also struggled to hide his overflowing ambition.
« It also taught me that the fight for championships and victories in the future is going to be mentally much harder than what I had to endure running at the back of the pack these past two years. So, these experiences have been a blessing in disguise.
Russell is promised a bright future on the Mercedes side, and if he forges a steel will to resist the greatest, who knows how far the British hope can go?
