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, Verstappen, Zandvoort

Russell - "No surprises" behind Mercedes victory challenge

Russell, Verstappen, Zandvoort — Photo: © LAT Images
1 reactie

Russell - "No surprises" behind Mercedes victory challenge

Mercedes was back in the fight in the Netherlands

George Russell has insisted there were "no surprises" over Mercedes' strong performance at the Dutch Grand Prix given its strength in Hungary before the summer break.

The British driver finished second behind Max Verstappen at Zandvoort after the Silver Arrows jumped ahead of the Ferraris on race day.

Starting sixth, Russell followed team-mate Lewis Hamilton onto a projected one-stop strategy in a move that would put the two W13s in second and third behind Verstappen's Red Bull.

But had it not been for the virtual and full safety car periods late on, the reigning world champion would have been forced to have overtaken both Russell and then Hamilton to win his home race.

Despite eventually falling short of victory, the race was an improved performance mirroring that of the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend, where Russell clinched his first F1 pole position.

"There are no surprises there because these are two very similar circuits: high downforce; a lot of medium-speed corners," explained Russell.

"That's where the car really comes into its own.

"So, you know, we go into some very different circuits in the upcoming races. But globally, we're bringing a lot of performance to the car.

"I think we have a car that's capable of fighting victory, we just need to be able to start a little bit higher up the order."

Related

More F1 news

Latest F1 news

F1 team faces '$1.3m damage cost' after spectacular Miami Grand Prix crash

F1 team faces '$1.3m damage cost' after spectacular Miami Grand Prix crash

  • 22 minutes ago
F1 world champion announces race return at the age of 55

F1 world champion announces race return at the age of 55

  • 1 hour ago
FIA president delivers blunt Verstappen verdict: F1 will survive without him

FIA president delivers blunt Verstappen verdict: F1 will survive without him

  • 2 hours ago
FIA announce F1 2026 change which could hamper Mercedes title charge

FIA announce F1 2026 change which could hamper Mercedes title charge

  • 2 hours ago
Lewis Hamilton coming to terms with Ferrari false dawn

Lewis Hamilton coming to terms with Ferrari false dawn

  • 3 hours ago
Christian Horner’s F1 comeback will trigger paddock power shift

Christian Horner’s F1 comeback will trigger paddock power shift

  • Today 08:55

Just in

12:55
F1 team faces '$1.3m damage cost' after spectacular Miami Grand Prix crash
12:00
F1 world champion announces race return at the age of 55
11:15
FIA president delivers blunt Verstappen verdict: F1 will survive without him
10:31
FIA announce F1 2026 change which could hamper Mercedes title charge
09:43
Lewis Hamilton coming to terms with Ferrari false dawn
F1 news

Recommended by the editors

F1 team faces '$1.3m damage cost' after spectacular Miami Grand Prix crash Alpine F1

F1 team faces '$1.3m damage cost' after spectacular Miami Grand Prix crash

22 minutes ago
FIA announce F1 2026 change which could hamper Mercedes title charge Latest F1 News

FIA announce F1 2026 change which could hamper Mercedes title charge

2 hours ago
Lewis Hamilton coming to terms with Ferrari false dawn Lewis Hamilton

Lewis Hamilton coming to terms with Ferrari false dawn

3 hours ago
Christian Horner’s F1 comeback will trigger paddock power shift Christian Horner

Christian Horner’s F1 comeback will trigger paddock power shift

Today 08:55
Ontdek het op Google Play
x