Breaking news
Formula 1 Sakhir GP
Russell still pressing the wrong buttons in Mercedes car
George Russell has revealed he accidentally pressed his Mercedes car's neutral button during qualifying for the Sakhir Grand Prix, as he continues to adapt to his temporary Formula 1 environment.
Alex Kalinauckas
Edited: Dec 5, 2020, 7:56 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Russell qualified second behind Valtteri Bottas for the inaugural Sakhir race, which will take place on the 'outer loop' layout at the Bahrain International circuit, finishing just 0.026s from pole on his first outing for Mercedes as Lewis Hamilton's stand-in.
The decision had already been taken for Russell to wear race boots that are one size smaller than usual to make sure he fits into the cockpit of Hamilton's W11, where he explained he has been making occasional errors activating systems on the steering wheel in practice and qualifying for this weekend's race.
When asked by Motorsport.com if there were anything things he had had to unlearn from his experience for Williams in the first Bahrain race, Russell replied: "I guess arguably I probably would've been better off if I'd just came in with an open mind and not raced this circuit – or at least half of this circuit – last week.
"Because I spent all last week breaking at 'this point', turning at 'this point at Turn 1' and 'doing this, doing that'. And this car is just completely different.
"Then all the procedures – learning new procedures, learning new buttons. FP1 was a mess – pressing the wrong buttons here and there.
"Even in qualifying, I pressed neutral at one point instead of something else."
Read Also:
- Bottas says Sakhir Grand Prix qualifying "not my best"
- Sakhir GP: Bottas beats Russell to pole by 0.026s
Russell explained that such a scenario occurred because had was in "such a routine down at Williams", where he has raced since entering F1 as the reigning Formula 2 champion at the start of 2019.
He added: "You don't even think about these things and it just naturally happens.
"[Mercedes has] been trying to modify as much as physically possible just to make things easier for me.
"It's been a lot of work and still takes a bit of time – it takes a couple of races just to understand all of that."
Russell then jokingly appealed to Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff that more time aboard the W11 would rectify the situation, saying: "Toto, a few more races please and I'll be there!"
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Leclerc explains decision to abandon Q3 early
Next article Mercedes willing to give Grosjean farewell F1 test
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Alex Kalinauckas
Who is Kimi Antonelli, F1 sprint polesitter at just 18?
Formula 1
Formula 1
Who is Kimi Antonelli, F1 sprint polesitter at just 18?
Why Bottas has the edge over Perez in 2026 F1 return race
Formula 1
Formula 1
Japanese GP
Why Bottas has the edge over Perez in 2026 F1 return race
What if Red Bull solved its second-car problem with a paint job?
Formula 1
Formula 1
Japanese GP
What if Red Bull solved its second-car problem with a paint job?
More from
George Russell
Mercedes out of performance window at Mexico GP - George Russell
Formula 1
Formula 1
Mexican GP
Mercedes out of performance window at Mexico GP - George Russell
George Russell tips Frederik Vesti for F1 2027 Cadillac seat
Formula 1
Formula 1
Mexican GP
George Russell tips Frederik Vesti for F1 2027 Cadillac seat
Latest news
William Byron and Rudy Fugle really needed this one
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Martinsville II
3 h
William Byron and Rudy Fugle really needed this one
It's all over but the dog and pony show as Kyle Larson nears third Cup
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Martinsville II
3 h
It's all over but the dog and pony show as Kyle Larson nears third Cup
Penalty drops Oscar Piastri out of F1 Mexico GP points
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Mexican GP
3 h
Penalty drops Oscar Piastri out of F1 Mexico GP points
Alpine drivers penalised post-race, Ryo Hirakawa scores on F1 debut at Mexico GP
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Mexican GP
3 h
Alpine drivers penalised post-race, Ryo Hirakawa scores on F1 debut at Mexico GP
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe