close global

Welcome to GPFans

CHOOSE YOUR COUNTRY

  • NL
  • GB
  • IT
  • ES-MX
  • US
  • GB

Are you a F1 Fan? Follow GP Fans

Edition

NL GB IT ES-MX US
Russell, Williams

Russell explains mental pressures of criticism in F1

Russell, Williams — Photo: © LAT Images

Russell explains mental pressures of criticism in F1

Mental health has become a prominant talking point in sport this year

Ian Parkes & Ewan Gale

George Russell has conceded it can get "difficult" to perform at his best in F1 when "everybody has an opinion".

The Williams driver finally scored his first points for the team at the Hungarian Grand Prix ahead of the summer break with his future hanging in the balance.

Mercedes is expected to make a decision in the near future as to whether Russell or Valtteri Bottas will partner Lewis Hamilton for next season, with Russell expected to remain with Williams should a promotion fail to materialise.

The British driver spoke at the end of last season about the challenges to mental health in recent times and since then, there have been high profile incidents of athletes making these issues more prominent, with US gymnast Simone Biles and Japanese tennis player Naomi Osaka making powerful stands on the topic.

Asked how these challenges are dealt with, Russell told GPFans Global: "In the sense of being prepped well, it's just that I've never been thrown in at the deep end. I've come through stages at a solid rate.

"I do work with a psychologist but that's just for me to try and gain more performance.

"But it is difficult when, these days, everybody has an opinion.

"We're all human at the end of the day, and if you're getting a huge amount of criticism, for whatever reason, or unjustified criticism, that is going to affect your sole focus to perform at the best of your ability in your dedicated industry."

Related

More F1 news

Latest F1 news

Oscar Piastri stunned by brutal Charles Leclerc attack

Oscar Piastri stunned by brutal Charles Leclerc attack

  • 37 minutes ago
Daniel Ricciardo heading to iconic race: 'Never been more excited'

Daniel Ricciardo heading to iconic race: 'Never been more excited'

  • 1 hour ago
F1 star Charles Leclerc bought an incredible new £15m yacht and his wife Alexandra christened it

F1 star Charles Leclerc bought an incredible new £15m yacht and his wife Alexandra christened it

  • 2 hours ago
Red Bull fury over 'childish' McLaren as 'animosity' festers between F1 rivals

Red Bull fury over 'childish' McLaren as 'animosity' festers between F1 rivals

  • 3 hours ago
Jealous of Mercedes? Lewis Hamilton fears Ferrari F1 development path

Jealous of Mercedes? Lewis Hamilton fears Ferrari F1 development path

  • 3 hours ago
Red Bull target sensational Oscar Piastri move with Max Verstappen future uncertain

Red Bull target sensational Oscar Piastri move with Max Verstappen future uncertain

  • Today 18:57

Just in

22:57
Oscar Piastri stunned by brutal Charles Leclerc attack
21:57
Daniel Ricciardo heading to iconic race: 'Never been more excited'
21:14
F1 star Charles Leclerc bought an incredible new £15m yacht and his wife Alexandra christened it
20:28
Red Bull fury over 'childish' McLaren as 'animosity' festers between F1 rivals
19:43
Jealous of Mercedes? Lewis Hamilton fears Ferrari F1 development path
F1 news

Recommended by the editors

Daniel Ricciardo heading to iconic race: 'Never been more excited' Daniel Ricciardo

Daniel Ricciardo heading to iconic race: 'Never been more excited'

1 hour ago
Red Bull fury over 'childish' McLaren as 'animosity' festers between F1 rivals F1 News & Gossip

Red Bull fury over 'childish' McLaren as 'animosity' festers between F1 rivals

3 hours ago
Jealous of Mercedes? Lewis Hamilton fears Ferrari F1 development path Lewis Hamilton

Jealous of Mercedes? Lewis Hamilton fears Ferrari F1 development path

3 hours ago
Red Bull target sensational Oscar Piastri move with Max Verstappen future uncertain F1 News & Gossip

Red Bull target sensational Oscar Piastri move with Max Verstappen future uncertain

Today 18:57
Ontdek het op Google Play
x