Russell: “I missed sixty points this year.”

George Russell admits he missed a lot of points this year due to the circumstances. The Mercedes driver has now fallen to eighth place in the championship. However, he believes that this is a one-time dip and that he will drive a lot better in the future.

Last year, George Russell had a strong debut season at Mercedes. Although the car was not as competitive as it had been in previous years, Russell took his first win at the Brazilian Grand Prix. It was the team’s only victory that year. Overall, Russell finished the year well ahead of teammate Lewis Hamilton.

However, this year is going less well for Russell, at least when it comes to points. The Briton has only reached the podium once, while Hamilton has already achieved it five times. While Hamilton chases Sergio Perez for second place in the championship, Russell hopes he can reclaim seventh place from Lando Norris. Retirements in Australia, Canada and Singapore did not help, as did a very audacious operation at Zandvoort that sent the Mercedes driver off the track.

Russell himself is also aware of this situation. “In terms of pure speed, I think this is my best season ever,” he said after the race at Suzuka. “But I also think I missed at least 60 points this season for various reasons. In Australia, I had the chance to get on the podium, and I could have got eighteen points in Zandvoort, but I missed the podium as well. [Singapore] This was clearly a mistake on my part, just as it had happened in Canada. I also lost ten points there. In Monaco I also lost some points, and there are many races where we could have gotten more points.

“If you compare that to last year, I was in the top five in 19 out of 22 races, and we kept getting those points,” Russell continued. “At the moment I have a clear goal for this year: to secure second place for the team among constructors. I think it was clear this year from the beginning that we are not in contention for the title. I have no idea if that has an impact on my mentality or something like that. But I can promise you: as soon as we can win the title again, I will come back in a way worthy of a champion.”

The latest issue of FORMULA 1 magazine can now be found in stores or in your mailbox! You can also order online, with free delivery throughout the Netherlands! In this edition, you can read all about the constructors’ title for Red Bull and look forward to the next race in Qatar, where Max Verstappen can consolidate his world title. And of course more news and background information about Formula 1, such as:

• Verstappen gives Red Bull dream team a new grand prix
• Report: Newcomer Liam Lawson, the Kiwi classic
• A smile is never far from former driver Davide Valsecchi
• Logan Sargeant wants to be a Formula 1 goalkeeper
• How do Formula 1 teams approach rules and wings?
• Tiffany Cromwell and Valtteri Bottas, a good couple
• History: Japanese failure in Formula 1
• Columns by Graham Watson and Amber Brantsen
• And also the best stories and most beautiful pictures of the grand prize