Williams driver George Russell believes Mugello will be “an absolute killer physically” for Formula 1 racers, ahead of the circuit’s debut on the calendar.
Formula 1 is competing at Mugello for the first time this weekend, with the Ferrari-owned venue drafted in as part of the overhauled coronavirus-hit calendar.
The championship last visited Mugello in 2012 when an in-season test session was held.
The circuit features an array of medium- and high-speed corners with data suggesting that the first turn, San Donato, will be the slowest, taken around 120km/h.
Turns 6 through 9 – Casanova, Savelli and the two right-hand Arrabbiata corners – are expected to have apex speeds of around 260km/h.
“I am really excited for Mugello, I have raced here once, with Charles [Leclerc] actually, back in 2014, when we were competing in Formula Renault,” he said.
“It is an incredible circuit. It is the circuit I’m most excited about [of the new venues]. It is so fast, so flowing. It is going to be an absolute killer physically.
“That Turns 6, 7, 8, 9 [section] will be absolutely flat out. Probably 280kmh, maybe I’m over hitting it a little bit there, but flat out in seventh gear anyway. Incredible.”
Haas’ Romain Grosjean topped the leaderboard during that aforementioned 2012 test session.
“It’s mega. Absolutely mega. Obviously 2012 was a long time ago and I do remember a bit of that testing.
“With the new generation of the cars it’s going to be absolutely outstanding so I am really looking forward to driving it.
“Maybe for overtaking, maybe not the best in the world but for driving and enjoying ourselves, it’s going to be fairly high on the list.”
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