No pangs of envy from George Russell despite edging closer to unwanted F1 record

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No pangs of envy from Russell despite edging closer to unwanted F1 record

Russell is fifth on the list of drivers for most races without a point

Ian Parkes

Wednesday 14 October 2020 15:43

George Russell is refusing to be envious at the luck enjoyed by back-of-the-grid rivals Haas and Alfa Romeo despite edging closer to an unwanted Formula 1 record.

It is now 32 grands prix for Russell without a point in F1, moving him up to fifth on the all-time list of drivers for most races without scoring, leaving him 18 behind record-holder Luca Badoer.

While Russell would naturally love to end his drought in whatever fashion, there was no considering 'what might have been' after Sunday's Eifel Grand Prix in which five cars retired, allowing Romain Grosjean to score his first points for Haas this season from ninth, and with Antonio Giovinazzi 10th for Alfa Romeo.

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Russell, whose race was prematurely ended when he was punted out by Kimi Raikkonen in his Alfa, said: "It would be nice to score a point or two or three, but in all honesty, I think I’m realistic, and ultimately, the car just isn’t quick enough.

"We need to continue to work really hard to bring more performance into the car because we don’t want to be lucking into these events. We want to be there on merit. That’s where we are at the moment.

"For the likes of Haas and Alfa, things have just gone there way in these races. They are no quicker than us and I don’t personally believe they’ve done anything better than us.

"The things have just gone their way when it’s been these very specific opportunities and it hasn’t for us.

"There’s been a number of times where we’ve had really good races and finished quite high up the order, but there haven’t been five midfield cars break down, which is the difference between scoring points or not.

"So it’s a shame. I think as a race team we’re doing things really well, we’re getting the most out of our package. We just need to get some more downforce on the car to get us in those positions more often."

Russell is confident he could have claimed a top-10 spot but for his incident with Raikkonen.

"Sometimes it’s racing," added Russell. "We’re all pushing hard and it’s not easy sometimes.

"But it’s frustrating, the car was feeling good and the way the race went, I think we could’ve scored points. It’s all going against us at the moment, unfortunately."

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