George Russell admits his experience in “difficult” Williams cars is helping him gain an early edge over Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes.
The Briton’s first year at the eight-time reigning Constructors’ champions is certainly very different from what he expected as porpoising issues have left the team battling in Formula 1’s midfield pack this season.
Russell’s results though have been a bright spot as he is the only driver to finish in the top five at every race, including a strong P4 last weekend in Imola.
That result though was in stark contrast to his illustrious teammate as Lewis Hamilton only finished 13th and a lap down on race winner Max Verstappen after getting stuck behind Lance Stroll initially and later Pierre Gasly.
“I think it’s just how things fall out sometimes in a race weekend,” Russell said via Crash.net.
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“I made a very strong start, I don’t know what happened to him at the start. We are equally struggling, and when the car is so far out of bed and it’s not in the right window, it doesn’t really feel like a proper racing car to drive.
“Especially we are struggling with the tyre warm-up. On Friday it was 13 degrees and it was just a nightmare to drive.”
It has been suggested that Russell’s early advantage over Hamilton comes from having spent the past three years trying to optimise his results in a Williams car that has been well down the competitive order.
And that theory was put to the 24-year-old at Imola.
“It’s just been a really difficult position for the team and perhaps, with my struggles at Williams driving very difficult cars, maybe that has helped in some small regard,” he said.
“When you drive a top car, the car is planted, it’s what you want from a car. It’s a joy to drive and it gives you confidence.
“In a way, I’ve had a fortunate experience where I’ve had a car that is really difficult to drive. It doesn’t give me confidence and I have had to properly work for it, to get more out of it.
“I think it almost builds this toolbox and creates this skill set that you perhaps would not have had if you always had a car that was great.”
However, Russell is under no illusion that Hamilton will rebound once solutions to Mercedes’ problems are found.
“I expect him to come back so strong and the way he is pushing and motivating the team is inspiring,” he said.
“I’m not getting comfortable with this position because I know what he is capable of. Lewis is going to come back incredibly strong and he’s definitely going to be pushing me all the way.”
Alone we can do so little, but together we can do so much. We’re all in this together. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/TkpzwKMlG0
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) April 27, 2022