Russell: Williams testing 'double or triple the amount' compared to rivals

George Russell says that Wiliams is testing "double or triple the amount" opposed to its rivals this year.

Williams has emerged with the slowest car in 2019 that is seeing it compete at the back of the field and unable to get anywhere near scoring points. 

Russell pointed out that while other teams can't waste time with their progression, Williams fighting for the last row allows it to be more experimental.

"You've got to try find the positives in these situations," Russell said. "The fact that we're not fighting for anything, we have to try to find how to make the most of a difficult situation.

"We can do that by testing a lot of things. We're probably testing double or triple the amount compared to every other team because they can't afford to do that.

"They have to maximise every session and lap whereas we can afford to try things at this moment and see what helps us in the long run."

FW42 is balanced, but not fast

Williams introduced new parts including a suspension upgrade for the Canada round, which Russell says has provided a nice feeling within the car - but it hasn't allowed Willams to gain and get closer to the pace needed to compete.

Russell says that Williams anticipated Baku and Montreal as the two races it expected to struggle at most this year due to the combination of tight corners and long straights.

"After winter testing, if we had to choose circuits we'd struggle most at, it would be Baku and here," Russell stated. "You need a good car between downforce and drag, and don't have that at the moment.

"We're losing a lot of time on the straights, and gaining nothing in the corners. But there are some positives from the day.

"We brought some test items to the car and it improved the driveability and balance. The car is feeling relatively good, it's just not quick enough.

"Hopefully now when we start to put some more downforce on the car in a couple of races time, we should be in a good position."

Replies (2)

Login to reply
  • It’s such a shame to see Williams languishing at the back of the field. Also and I’m sad to admit this but Kubica doesn’t seem to have brought anything to the team either. I had such high hopes for his return as well.

    • + 0
    • Jun 9 2019 - 17:13
  • I can't see any way back in 2019, maybe not even 2020

    • + 0
    • Jun 9 2019 - 17:31

AZ Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

AZAzerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

World Championship standings 2025

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 - 2025

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
14 - Mar 16 2025
Australia
21 - Mar 23 2025
China
4 - Apr 6 2025
Japan
11 - Apr 13 2025
Bahrain
18 - Apr 20 2025
Saudi Arabia
2 - May 4 2025
United States of America
16 - May 18 2025
Italy
23 - May 25 2025
Monaco
30 - Jun 1 2025
Spain
13 - Jun 15 2025
Canada
27 - Jun 29 2025
Austria
4 - Jul 6 2025
United Kingdom
25 - Jul 27 2025
Belgium
1 - Aug 3 2025
Hungary
29 - Aug 31 2025
Netherlands
5 - Sep 7 2025
Italy
19 - Sep 21 2025
Azerbaijan
3 - Oct 5 2025
Singapore
17 - Oct 19 2025
United States of America
24 - Oct 26 2025
Mexico
7 - Nov 9 2025
Brazil
21 - Nov 23 2025
United States of America
28 - Nov 30 2025
Qatar
5 - Dec 7 2025
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
14 - Mar 16 2025
Australia Albert Park
21 - Mar 23 2025
4 - Apr 6 2025
11 - Apr 13 2025
18 - Apr 20 2025
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
2 - May 4 2025
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
16 - May 18 2025
23 - May 25 2025
Monaco Monte Carlo
30 - Jun 1 2025
13 - Jun 15 2025
27 - Jun 29 2025
Austria Red Bull Ring
4 - Jul 6 2025
United Kingdom Silverstone
25 - Jul 27 2025
1 - Aug 3 2025
Hungary Hungaroring
29 - Aug 31 2025
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
5 - Sep 7 2025
Italy Monza
19 - Sep 21 2025
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
3 - Oct 5 2025
17 - Oct 19 2025
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
24 - Oct 26 2025
7 - Nov 9 2025
Brazil Interlagos
21 - Nov 23 2025
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
28 - Nov 30 2025
5 - Dec 7 2025
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Mercedes
  • Points 1,032
  • Podiums 24
  • Grand Prix 152
  • Country United Kingdom
  • Date of b. Feb 15 1998 (27)
  • Place of b. King's Lynn, United Kingdom
  • Weight 70 kg
  • Length 1.85 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar