Australian Grand Prix

Russell disbelief at "crazy" championship placing

Sam Hall Sunday 17 April 2022 18:15

George Russell has described his disbelief as "crazy" that he sits second in the F1 drivers' standings to Charles Leclerc.

The British driver scored the first podium of his Mercedes career after finishing third in the Australian Grand Prix last weekend.

Mercedes has lacked pace across the opening three races of the season but has benefitted from Red Bull's poor reliability to jump up the order with the Silver Arrows currently 10 points clear in second in the constructors' championship.

Reacting to the news that he was also placed second behind only Leclerc in the drivers' title race, Russell told Sky Sports: "Somebody told me that and I didn't believe them.

"It's pretty crazy to think but this is a championship based on results and not necessarily based on pace."

Russell backs Mercedes to unlock pace

Mercedes has been the third-fastest team so far this year behind Ferrari and Red Bull.

But Russell is all too aware the Silver Arrows must improve to retain its championship position with Red Bull likely to get on top of its reliability woes sooner rather than later.

"We know if we want to keep that position we need to find more performance in the car and I believe in my team back at base to be able to bring more performance but it's going to take a lot of team," Russell added.

"For the time being, let's just keep capitalising."

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