Motorsport Week
  • Formula 1
    • 2025 Formula 1 Calendar
    • 2025 Formula 1 Standings
  • Formula E
    • 2025 Formula E Calendar
    • 2025 Formula E Standings
  • IndyCar
    • 2025 IndyCar Calendar
    • 2025 IndyCar Standings
  • WRC
    • 2025 WRC Standings
    • 2025 WRC Calendar
  • MotoGP
    • 2025 MotoGP Calendar
    • 2025 MotoGP Standings
    • Moto2
    • Moto3
  • WEC
    • 2025 WEC Calendar
  • IMSA
    • 2025 IMSA Calendar
  • World SBK
  • More
    • Formula 2
    • Formula 3
    • F1 Academy
    • Moto2
    • Moto3
    • World Superbikes
    • Technical Insight
    • Galleries
    • About/Contact
    • Privacy Policy
No Result
View All Result
  • Formula 1
    • 2025 Formula 1 Calendar
    • 2025 Formula 1 Standings
  • Formula E
    • 2025 Formula E Calendar
    • 2025 Formula E Standings
  • IndyCar
    • 2025 IndyCar Calendar
    • 2025 IndyCar Standings
  • WRC
    • 2025 WRC Standings
    • 2025 WRC Calendar
  • MotoGP
    • 2025 MotoGP Calendar
    • 2025 MotoGP Standings
    • Moto2
    • Moto3
  • WEC
    • 2025 WEC Calendar
  • IMSA
    • 2025 IMSA Calendar
  • World SBK
  • More
    • Formula 2
    • Formula 3
    • F1 Academy
    • Moto2
    • Moto3
    • World Superbikes
    • Technical Insight
    • Galleries
    • About/Contact
    • Privacy Policy
No Result
View All Result
Motorsport Week
Home Single Seater Formula 1

Mercedes predicted Russell would score minor points in Qatar comeback

by Taylor Powling
2 years ago
A A
0
Mercedes predicted Russell would score minor points in Qatar comeback

George Russell (GBR) Mercedes AMG F1 W14 makes a pit stop. 08.10.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 18, Qatar Grand Prix, Doha, Qatar, Race Day.

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Mercedes predicted that George Russell would only be able to score minor points in the Qatar Grand Prix after his opening lap clash with team-mate Lewis Hamilton.

Having qualified second and third, Mercedes were aiming to apply pressure on polesitter and eventual race winner Max Verstappen.

However, Hamilton’s attempt to swing around the outside of the top two into Turn 1 saw Russell get sandwiched, resulting in contact between the two Mercedes cars.

Hamilton was pitched into a race-ending spin, while Russell continued at the back of the field, albeit requiring an immediate pit stop to replace his damaged front wing.

RelatedPosts

Max Verstappen isn't even contemplating a battle with McLaren in the F1 Canadian GP

Max Verstappen insists McLaren battle in F1 Canadian GP ‘not even in my head’

30 seconds ago
Malcolm Wilson replaces Robert Reid as the new FIA Deputy president

FIA announces Malcolm Wilson as new Deputy President for Sport

18 minutes ago

With the FIA mandating maximum 18-lap stint lengths amid tyre concerns, Russell eventually utilised an ambitious four-stop strategy to recover all the way back to fourth.

Mercedes Trackside Engineering Director Andrew Shovlin admits that the team had only initially anticipated the Briton hauling himself into the lower reaches of the top 10.

“Given that we were put right to the back after that lap one incident, the early predictions were coming in back of the points but not scoring many points,” Shovlin explained on Mercedes’ race debrief video.

“As the race went on those predictions got better and better and ultimately were indicating that he would finish fourth place.”

Expanding on Russell’s comeback drive, Shovlin asserts that the 25-year-old was able to defy Mercedes’ expectations by negotiating the traffic effectively.

“Basically, he was able to overtake, he was able to get through key cars early on,” he highlighted.

“Also, once he got into free air, we could see that the race pace was actually really good and that was the thing that allowed him to make up so many places.

“On top of that, the strategy team did a great job of re-optimising the race, trying to make the most of a bad situation, and fourth was a great reward for their efforts.”

George Russell (GBR) Mercedes AMG F1 W14. 08.10.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 18, Qatar Grand Prix, Doha, Qatar, Race Day.

The collision between the two Mercedes cars stemmed from the duo starting on alternative tyres. While Russell matched Verstappen’s choice of the Medium, Hamilton was fitted with the Soft.

Although Shovlin echoed the drivers’ statements by revealing there were pre-race discussions held, he underlines that team orders were not imposed at any stage.

“We discussed the start tyre choice with both drivers on Sunday morning, and there was always going to be a chance that Lewis on the soft tyre was gonna get a better start and overtake George before Turn 1,” Shovlin conceded.

“That was always considered. But they were aware they were on different strategies, it was important that they didn’t lose time racing each other and that was clear.

“But, we weren’t imposing team orders in the race and what happened at Turn 1 was simply a mistake.”

Shovlin explains that Hamilton started on the Soft compound because he was more limited on stint life than Russell, particularly regarding the optimal Medium tyre.

“The Medium that he was gonna have to run was so short on life, it was actually very similar in range to the soft,” he noted.

“We elected Lewis to start on the Soft because of that better grip off the line, and the fact that it was unlikely to be any downsides in terms of range.”

Tags: F1George RussellLewis HamiltonMercedesQatarGP
Share198Tweet124Share

Related Posts

Max Verstappen isn't even contemplating a battle with McLaren in the F1 Canadian GP
Formula 1

Max Verstappen insists McLaren battle in F1 Canadian GP ‘not even in my head’

32 seconds ago
Malcolm Wilson replaces Robert Reid as the new FIA Deputy president
Formula 1

FIA announces Malcolm Wilson as new Deputy President for Sport

18 minutes ago
Charles Leclerc has drawn upon Lewis Hamilton's experience
Formula 1

How Lewis Hamilton has ‘surprised’ Charles Leclerc inside and outside the car at Ferrari

1 hour ago
Load More

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Upcoming Races

#EventDate
10Canadian GP13-15 June
11Austrian GP27-29 June
12British GP04-06 July
13Belgian GP25-27 July
14Hungarian GP01-03 August

Click here for the full 2025 F1 calendar

Drivers’  Standings

#DriverPts
Oscar Piastri186
Lando Norris176
Max Verstappen137
George Russell111
Charles Leclerc95
Lewis Hamilton71
Andrea Kimi Antonelli48
Alexander Albon42
Isack Hadjar28
Esteban Ocon20

Click here for full Drivers’ Standings

Latest Articles

Max Verstappen isn't even contemplating a battle with McLaren in the F1 Canadian GP
Formula 1

Max Verstappen insists McLaren battle in F1 Canadian GP ‘not even in my head’

June 13, 2025
Malcolm Wilson replaces Robert Reid as the new FIA Deputy president
Formula 1

FIA announces Malcolm Wilson as new Deputy President for Sport

June 13, 2025
Charles Leclerc has drawn upon Lewis Hamilton's experience
Formula 1

How Lewis Hamilton has ‘surprised’ Charles Leclerc inside and outside the car at Ferrari

June 13, 2025

Follow Motorsport Week

Join our daily motorsport newsletter

* indicates required

Motorsport Week

© 2024 Motorsport Media Services Ltd

Other Links

  • About & Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Motorsport Monday

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • Login
  • Sign Up
  • Home
  • Formula 1
    • Latest News
    • 2025 F1 Calendar
    • 2025 F1 Championship Standings
  • Formula E
    • Latest News
    • 2025 FE Calendar
    • 2025 FE Championship Standings
  • MotoGP
    • Latest News
    • 2025 MotoGP Calendar
    • 2025 MotoGP Standings
    • Moto2
    • Moto3
    • World Superbikes
  • WRC
    • Latest News
    • 2025 WRC Calendar
    • 2025 WRC Standings
  • IndyCar
    • Latest News
    • 2025 IndyCar Calendar
    • 2025 IndyCar Standings
  • WEC
    • Latest News
    • 2025 WEC Calendar
  • Live Updates
  • Other
    • IMSA
    • Formula 2
    • Formula 3
    • F1 Academy
    • Moto2
    • Moto3
    • World Superbikes
  • Galleries
  • About/Contact
  • Privacy Policy

© 2024 Motorsport Media Services Ltd