George Russell breaks rank and follows Lewis Hamilton’s suit after Mercedes sack warning and…read more
George Russell has openly criticized the performance of Mercedes’ current Formula 1 car, echoing similar frustrations expressed by teammate Lewis Hamilton. This comes despite recent warnings from former F1 team principal Guenther Steiner, who cautioned Russell about the risks of publicly criticizing his team, as it could jeopardize his position within the squad.
Both Russell, 26, and Hamilton, 39, have struggled to match the pace of Max Verstappen and Lando Norris at the top of the F1 standings this season. Hamilton, known for his candidness, recently likened the performance of the Mercedes car to a “plank of wood,” drawing attention to its lack of competitiveness. Now, Russell has added his voice to the growing dissatisfaction, calling the car “unpredictable” and a constant challenge since he joined Mercedes in 2022.
Steiner, known for his blunt opinions, had earlier warned Russell about the potential repercussions of his comments. He highlighted that Hamilton’s rumored move to Ferrari gives him a degree of freedom to be openly critical without facing significant consequences. In contrast, Steiner argued, Russell’s position at Mercedes is less secure, and public criticism could backfire. Nevertheless, the British driver seemed undeterred as he voiced his concerns.
Reflecting on his experience, Russell compared the challenges of driving the 2023 car to the infamous “porpoising” issues of the previous season. “I think in 2022, during the porpoising era, it was undoubtedly more unpleasant,” he said. “But the nature of those cars made it difficult to push to the limit—you were literally bouncing through every corner and constantly aware it could go wrong.”
Russell emphasized that the current car presents a different kind of frustration. “The problem we’ve got with this car is that it gives you the illusion of being under control,” he explained. “You feel like you can push and achieve a great lap, but then, without warning, it loses performance completely. Nothing feels different, yet suddenly everything is gone.”
These comments underline the growing tensions within Mercedes as the team grapples with performance issues that have left them trailing their rivals. With Hamilton possibly heading to Ferrari and Russell speaking out despite warnings, the dynamics within the team could face further strain as they prepare for the next season.
