George Russell highlights the ‘sad reality’ of F1

George Russell mentioned that Red Bull's domination in 2023 was part of the sport.

George Russell highlights the ‘sad reality’ of F1

George Russell (via IMAGO)

Max Verstappen‘s domination in 2023 saw a lot of support as well as backlash over the redundancy of race-winners. Additionally, after Red Bull won 21 races out of the 22 total races, it was evident that Milton Keynes got it right with its car set-up for the year. Hence, George Russell discussed that the reality in F1 was that one team could inevitably dominate the grid.

The Briton exclaimed that everyone in F1 was there to fight for the victory and the championship. However, the fact that only one team got the setup right in the entire season was the ‘sad reality’ of Formula 1. However, Russell highlighted if a team does get it right, it’s very difficult to turn the tide and chase the dominant team by its rivals.

We’re all here to fight for victory, we’re all here to fight for championships, And this is the sad reality of Formula 1 – only one team can get it right. And, often, when you do get it right, you get it very right and it’s very difficult to turn the tide and chase back up.
George Russell told Motorsport Magazine.
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George Russell’s Mercedes failed to secure a win in the 2023 season. Russell expressed his discontent with the same and added that he had a shot at podiums on seven to eight more podiums, however failed to achieve them. The Briton asserted that he was disappointed with himself over the performance in the season.

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So, of course I wanted to achieve a lot more this season. It’s been… regardless of the being victory-less, there’s probably been seven or eight podiums I could’ve had this year… and I’m disappointed with myself in that there’s been a few on my shoulders.

George Russell claimed he has at least 15 years more in Formula 1

The 25-year-old claimed that he was young and still had a good 15 years left under his name in Formula 1. Russell also referenced Fernando Alonso and Verstappen commenting how they contended for the world championship only after their seventh year in Formula 1. 

I’m 25-years-old, I feel like I’ve got a good at least 15 years left in me, When I look at Fernando, and when I look at Max], I think he was in his seventh year before he fought for a title.
George Russell and Lewis Hamilton.
George Russell and Lewis Hamilton (via Planetf1).

However, even the current dominator Max Verstappen was in the same condition as Russell some four or five years ago. Hence, the Briton didn’t need to worry too much over this as other capable drivers like Charles Leclerc were in a similar condition in 2023. Subsequently, the 25-year-old exclaimed that his time to dominate races would surely come in the near future.

Mercedes in the past has shown their capabilities to produce a championship-winning car in Formula 1. Hence, after 2026, major regulation changes might bring some luck to the Brackley. Also, towards the end of 2023, Mercedes did start to gain some pace over Milton Keynes and could produce a championship-contending car in 2024.

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