Portimão turn-one choice could harm racing - George Russell

Williams

Portimão turn-one choice could harm racing - Russell

The first corner has two configuration options

Ewan Gale

Monday 19 October 2020 11:18

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Williams driver George Russell has expressed concern for the layout Formula 1 has opted to use for the inaugural race at Portimão, believing the alternative would have provided "better racing".

The circuit will stage the first Portuguese Grand Prix in 24 years since Estoril last served as host in 1996.

Portimão has several track configurations at certain corners, with turn one able to take the form of a switch-back hairpin or a right-hand sweeper.

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The sweeper has been elected for the race, a choice Russell - who performed a demo lap at the circuit with Mercedes in 2017 - is disappointed with.

"We may have some track limits issues which I hope can be rectified before we even get there at turn one," said Russell.

"I know that was an issue in Formula 3. We actually had a race weekend in Formula 3, 2015.

"We had a test day which was on the quick turn one, which is what we’ll be doing for the F1 weekend.

"Everyone was doing track limits so they actually adopted doing sort of a hairpin, a loop, which is very nice.

"I’m actually surprised we haven’t done that loop because for racing, it would be better, having a slower speed corner at the end of a long straight."

The Briton, however, remains excited for the race and the chance to drive around such a "spectacular circuit", one he has also described as "very undulating".

"There are a lot of blind corners, which is great and adds a lot of character," added Russell. "Obviously, I need to wait and see once I have driven it in a current car and how it will pan out.

"I’m excited to go there and intrigued for the challenge we and the teams face."

Before you go...

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