George Russell claims Canadian GP a ‘missed opportunity’ for Mercedes to end F1 win drought

George Russell was disappointed after failing to convert his pole position to a race victory at the Canadian GP.

George Russell claims Canadian GP a ‘missed opportunity’ for Mercedes to end F1 win drought

George Russell (Via: Imago)

George Russell showed promising pace throughout the Canadian GP. The Mercedes driver even secured the team’s first pole position of the season this weekend. However, Russell failed to convert this into a race victory on Sunday. Now, the British driver has expressed his feelings after achieving his first podium of the season this weekend.

Russell reckoned that the race felt like a missed opportunity to take Mercedes’ first F1 victory since the 2022 Brazilian GP. The British driver claimed that he had great pace at the start of the Grand Prix on the intermediate tires. However, George Russell admitted that Lando Norris was simply too quick this weekend.

Felt like a missed opportunity to be honest, we were really quick at the beginning of the race on the inters and the Lando came through really fast.
George Russell said post-race
YouTube video

Moreover, George Russell confessed that he made a couple of mistakes over the course of the race. The British driver claimed that he had to pay the price for his errors. As the 26-year-old came failed to keep up with Max Verstappen and Lando Norris by the ending stages of the race.

FS Video
Made a couple of mistakes out there just pushing the limits, paid the price for it.
George Russell noted

George Russell claims Mercedes ‘back in the mix’ after Canadian GP podium

Mercedes has had an underwhelming campaign so far this season. So much so, that Lewis Hamilton labeled it as his worst-ever start in his F1 career. However, the Canadian GP showcased that the Silver Arrows might finally have the pace to return to the front of the grid.

george russell and toto wolff
George Russell and Toto Wolff (via IMAGO)

George Russell reckoned that the Brackley-based team finally had a fast car. Subsequently, the British driver claimed that Mercedes was back in contention against the likes of Red Bull and McLaren for race victories. Russell asserted that such results are the reason why drivers compete at the pinnacle of motorsport.

Nevertheless, first podium of the year, we truly had a fast car this weekend and to be back in the mix to be fighting for victory was… This is what formula 1 is about and that’s why we go racing.
George Russell concluded

Certainly, Russell will be highly motivated after this result in Montreal. The 26-year-old would be hoping that Mercedes carries this momentum to the rest of the season. With 15 races left in the 2024 season, the Silver Arrows have ample time to potentially pose a threat to the front runners in the standings.

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