George Russell has taken aim at Lando Norris for his and other drivers’ criticism of the new Formula 1 regulations, refuting them as somewhat “selfish”.
The 2026 season has kicked off with some chaotic on-track action, due to the new regulations that see new aerodynamic changes and new 50-50 hybrid engines.
Reigning champion Norris has been categoric in his views on the new rulebook, and has been joined by Max Verstappen, who has been even more outspoken on the issue.
Both men’s respective teams – McLaren and Red Bull – are so far powerless to prevent an onslaught from the works Mercedes team, which secured a 1-2 finish, headed by Russell.
The Silver Arrows are, as predicted, seeming to hold a significant power advantage, and Russell’s victory upholds his and the team’s pre-season labels of title favourite.
After the race, when asked about Norris’ comments, Russell suggested that they are stemming from what is McLaren’s comparative struggles with the new cars.
“Yeah, well, he’s always… yeah, I don’t know. If he was winning, I don’t think he’d be saying the same,” Russell told media, including Motorsport Week.
“We weren’t happy with how stiff the cars were last year and the porpoising, and everyone had a bad back, and drivers were complaining about that, but McLaren drivers said there was no porpoising, even though we watched their car and they were porpoising.
“So everyone’s always looking to themselves, and we’re all selfish in this regard. The truth is, last year we had the same engine as them and McLaren did a better job than us, and they beat us.
“Now McLaren have got the same engine as us, the same as Williams and the same as Alpine, and so far we’ve done a better job than them. So that’s just how the game goes.”
George Russell not complacent as he warns of different outcomes on different circuits
The breadth of circuits on the 24-race calendar are going to see the energy management differ, thus creating a variety of different outcomes.
Russell acknowledged this fact, citing next weekend’s Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai, and indicated that it means that it enables results to differ, too.
“I think the interesting thing with these regs is every track we go to, they’re not always going to be like this.
“We’re going to Shanghai next, where you’ve got one big, long straight, so the majority of drivers will be using their energy on that one straight.
“You don’t need to divide it up between four like you do here in Melbourne. So, everyone’s very quick to criticise things.
“You need to give it a shot. We’re 22 drivers. When we’ve had the best cars and the least tyre degradation and when we’ve been happiest, everyone moans the racing’s rubbish.
“Now drivers aren’t perfectly happy, and everyone said it was an amazing race. So, you can’t have it all, and I think we should just give it a chance and see after a few more races.”
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