Russell: Mercedes test showed what Williams needs

  • Published on 11 Apr 2019 09:51
  • comments 0
  • By: Fergal Walsh

George Russell says that his recent run with Mercedes in Bahrain has shown what Williams needs to work towards.

The Briton tested the W10 on the second day of Bahrain testing, ending the day on top of the timesheets. 

It offered a pleasant change for the 2018 Formula 2 champion, who has had to deal with a far from competitive Williams car, that is languishing at the back of the field.

Speaking about the test, Russell stated: “It was an incredible experience, an experience not many other drivers ever get to try,” he said.

“They are currently leading the world championship, you could argue the fastest car on the grid at the moment - so for us at the moment, in our current situation, it was a great opportunity to know what we should be aiming for.”

Although he is unable to share confidential information from the test, Russell believes that there is a lot that both he and Williams can learn from the outing.

"We did agree I can’t come back and share confidential bits, but I’m capable of coming back and saying their car is doing X in these corners and our car isn’t and this is what we need to be working towards,” he said.

“I think it was a very good test and obviously we all know they have developed more downforce than us – but there’s more to it than that.

“The differences are as expected. If you look at the timesheets and look where Williams are and where Mercedes, the differences are exactly as you would imagine.”

As Williams is set for another difficult weekend in China, Russell says that there is no easy answer to when the team will fix its problems and return to the midfield pack.

"Everyone is working as fast as they can to try and improve but in F1, everyone improves. So we have to not only improve but improve at double or triple the rate of everyone else, which in reality is extremely difficult.

“We have to stay positive but also be realistic. Realistically, we can’t be aiming for much more than we are achieving at the moment. Everyone is developing. We have to find some magic to try and overcome that.”

Replies (0)

Login to reply

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2024

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24
Australia
5 - Apr 7
Japan
19 - Apr 21
China
3 - May 5
United States of America
17 - May 19
Italy
24 - May 26
Monaco
7 - Jun 9
Canada
21 - Jun 23
Spain
28 - Jun 30
Austria
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21
Hungary
26 - Jul 28
Belgium
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1
Italy
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22
Singapore
18 - Oct 20
United States of America
25 - Oct 27
Mexico
1 - Nov 3
Brazil
22 - Nov 24
United States of America
29 - Dec 1
Qatar
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
19 - Apr 21
3 - May 5
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19
24 - May 26
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9
21 - Jun 23
28 - Jun 30
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
18 - Oct 20
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
1 - Nov 3
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Mercedes
  • Points 486
  • Podiums 11
  • Grand Prix 107
  • Country GB
  • Date of b. Feb 15 1998 (26)
  • Place of b. King's Lynn, GB
  • Weight 70 kg
  • Length 1.85 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar