Ex-Formula 1 driver David Coulthard says George Russell still has a “chink in his armour” and is not yet a “completely finished article”.
Russell ended last weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix in third place after dropping out of qualifying in Q2 the day before.
Team-mate Lewis Hamilton was second on the road, with Mercedes’ W14 car displaying strong pace amid a difficult start to the 2023 campaign.
However, the weekend wasn’t plain sailing for Mercedes as during qualifying, Russell and Hamilton made contact before Russell was eliminated early.
“George has still got a little chink in his armour,” Coulthard told Channel 4. “That late movement in qualifying where they had contact, if you remember he’s had some little drop the ball moments.
“He’s not the complete finished article yet. He’s pretty close. But Lewis Hamilton when he’s back, he’s back.”
Russell moved forward during the race and achieved his first podium of the 2023 campaign as Mercedes moved into second place in the standings.
The Brackley-based squad introduced upgrades in Monaco the week prior but was able to further understand them in Barcelona at a more further conventional circuit.
While Russell hailed the progress that Mercedes has made, it says that the team is striving for more.
“It was feeling really strong but we know we’ve got more improvements to be mad,” Russell said after the Spanish Grand Prix.
“A little bit cooler today [Sunday], which maybe played into our favour.
“We know our race pace is good but certainly we need to make a big step forward to catch up the Red Bulls and we’re not solely satisfied with P2 and P3.
“Although it’s a good step forward, we’ve got our sights set right at the very top.”
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