close global

Welcome to GPFans

CHOOSE YOUR COUNTRY

  • NL
  • GB
  • GB

Are you a F1 Fan? Follow GP Fans

Edition

NL GB IT ES-MX US

Russell's Mercedes cameo helped change F1 mindset

Photo: © LAT Images

Russell's Mercedes cameo helped change F1 mindset

Russell will make his debut as a full-time Mercedes driver in Bahrain

Ian Parkes & Ewan Gale
Google Make us your Google favorite

George Russell has explained how his 2020 Mercedes cameo has helped prepare him for the challenges that come with racing at the top of F1.

The British driver has earned his step from his placement at Williams to the Silver Arrows after three years at the back of the grid, although he led the team to its first points in two seasons last term with a succession of stellar performances.

Russell stood in for a Covid-stricken Lewis Hamilton at the 2020 Sakhir Grand Prix and fared with the pressure marvellously, only losing victory through a tyre mix-up at a pit stop followed by a puncture.

Asked about the pressures of the added scrutiny that comes with racing for the world champions, Russell told an interview including GPFans at the end of 2021: “I feel absolutely fine about it.

"It's not something I ever shy away from and often, when the helmet’s on, you forget about everything else. Obviously, I was fortunate to have the experience with Mercedes, to be honest.

“Lining up on the grid on the front row when the helmet was on, it didn't even cross my mind that I was going into turn one fighting for a lead because when the helmet's on you’ve got one vision, which is to go as fast as possible and attack the car ahead and keep the cars behind.

“Even when I was leading the race, it just felt like just another race to me. There was no additional pressure within when I was driving because that's what I was there to do.”

Related

More F1 news

Latest F1 news

Max Verstappen needs to leave Red Bull if he wants to achieve anything in F1

Max Verstappen needs to leave Red Bull if he wants to achieve anything in F1

  • 17 minutes ago
Christian Horner says he has not missed F1 'politics and bulls***'

Christian Horner says he has not missed F1 'politics and bulls***'

  • 1 hour ago
F1 star stung by late FIA penalty in bizarre ruling at British Grand Prix

F1 star stung by late FIA penalty in bizarre ruling at British Grand Prix

  • 2 hours ago
Christian Horner breaks silence on 'brutal' Red Bull F1 exit

Christian Horner breaks silence on 'brutal' Red Bull F1 exit

  • 3 hours ago
Five suspects arrested after F1 legend injured in robbery at his home

Five suspects arrested after F1 legend injured in robbery at his home

  • Today 17:30
F1 boss reveals summer break deadline to restore cancelled races

F1 boss reveals summer break deadline to restore cancelled races

  • Today 15:55

Just in

21:42
Max Verstappen needs to leave Red Bull if he wants to achieve anything in F1
20:57
Christian Horner says he has not missed F1 'politics and bulls***'
19:42
F1 star stung by late FIA penalty in bizarre ruling at British Grand Prix
18:43
Christian Horner breaks silence on 'brutal' Red Bull F1 exit
17:30
Five suspects arrested after F1 legend injured in robbery at his home
F1 news

Recommended by the editors

Christian Horner says he has not missed F1 'politics and bulls***' Christian Horner

Christian Horner says he has not missed F1 'politics and bulls***'

1 hour ago
Christian Horner breaks silence on 'brutal' Red Bull F1 exit Christian Horner

Christian Horner breaks silence on 'brutal' Red Bull F1 exit

3 hours ago
F1 Silly Season: Max Verstappen, McLaren and every driver move tracked F1 Silly Season

F1 Silly Season: Max Verstappen, McLaren and every driver move tracked

Today 13:48
Lewis Hamilton 'convinced' he would lose F1 podium at Silverstone before dramatic FIA announcement Lewis Hamilton

Lewis Hamilton 'convinced' he would lose F1 podium at Silverstone before dramatic FIA announcement

Today 12:25
Ontdek het op Google Play
x