George Russell has stated that the updates introduced by Mercedes in recent rounds are already “paying dividends” after the team had its best weekend of the season in Montreal.
The British driver took pole position for the Canadian Grand Prix, setting a lap time identical to that of eventual race winner Max Verstappen, who came in second.
Despite the good start to the weekend, Russell had a somewhat difficult race. Having made a couple of mistakes that hampered his progress, the former grand prix winner was quick to apologize to his team and highlight what he considered a “missed opportunity” at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.
One decision he considered incorrect was the pit call during the final safety car period. In doing so, the 26-year-old driver ceded track position to Oscar Piastri’s McLaren, who he subsequently had to force his way past, nearly damaging his W15 in the process.
“There are a lot of changes you would have made if you knew how things are planned retrospectively,” Russell told media, including RacingNews365 when asked about the choice to pit on medium tires towards the end of the race.
“But I’m happy with the progress we’ve made. Really proud of the team because we’ve been pushing these updates and they’re really paying dividends.”
Russell feels mistakes prevented him from fighting for victory
Despite a Sunday that felt like it could have been better, the Canadian Grand Prix weekend was certainly a step forward for the team.
Having overtaken Lewis Hamilton in the closing stages, Russell took his and the team’s first grand prix podium of the season, with his teammate just behind in fourth place, something he agreed was one of the positive aspects that I could take away. weekend.
However, he was still critical of his performance, which he believed prevented him from battling Lando Norris and Verstappen ahead in the closing laps.
“Yes, absolutely, 100%,” he responded when asked about those positive steps. “I think if you had told us before this weekend the pole position and third position, we might not have believed you, to be honest.
“But as Max (Verstappen) said, it was a very complicated race for everyone. You put a millimeter wide and that’s it.”
“I think for me it was too many mistakes at key moments that cost us the chance to fight with these two towards the end of the race.
