No chaos in Madrid, but George Russell warns all the same: “Just wait and see!”
George Russell had already warned before Friday’s practice sessions began that the Madrid circuit holds plenty of potential for chaos. Although the start of the session was relatively quiet, the Briton stands by his opinion.
This article is an automatically generated English version. The
George Russell beendete den Trainingsfreitag in Madrid als Fünftschnellster
Foto: Moy / XPB Images
George Russell beendete den Trainingsfreitag in Madrid als Fünftschnellster
© Moy / XPB Images
Even before the start of the race weekend on the outskirts of Madrid, the Formula 1 drivers were in agreement: the circuit at the IFEMA exhibition centre offers plenty of potential for an exciting qualifying session and race – and, with its many blind corners and slightly crooked braking zones, it is a real challenge.
It soon became clear in the first practice session that the Madring would put not only the drivers but also the tyres to the test. George Russell, who had predicted chaos and red flags on Media Thursday, explained: “We’d already anticipated that this was a possibility. After all, that’s often the case with newly resurfaced circuits.”
“The grip is very good, but you slide about quite aggressively,” described the Briton from the Mercedes team, adding in a joking tone: “If we experience the same tyre degradation in the race as we did in the first practice session, then a six-stop strategy is the quickest option.”
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Russell, who was fastest in the first free practice session and finished the day fifth fastest, is certain: “It was a bit better in the second session, and I’m convinced there’ll be a further improvement in tyre wear during the race. But that remains the biggest question mark.”
When asked whether he had revised his gloomy forecast from Thursday in light of the relatively quiet start – there were only a few close calls with the barriers and one proper crash in the F1 sessions – the 28-year-old said: “This is undoubtedly a high-risk circuit and I think all the drivers have probably been a bit more cautious. Just wait and see what we’ll see tomorrow!”
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Results
Full StandingsPos
#
Driver
Driver
Team
Rounds
Time
Fastest Lap
Points
01
12
Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team
57
1:34:23,754
1:36,030
25
02
3
Oracle Red Bull Racing
57
+4,351
1:36,760
18
03
1
McLaren Formula 1 Team
57
+5,089
1:36,680
15
04
16
Scuderia Ferrari HP
57
+29,116
1:36,063
12
05
63
Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team
57
+29,829
1:35,587
10
06
30
Oracle Red Bull Racing
57
+1:26,746
1:36,846
8
07
43
BWT Alpine Formula One Team
57
+1:34,281
1:37,321
6
08
81
McLaren Formula 1 Team
57
+1:35,839
1:37,226
4
09
41
Visa Cash App Racing Bulls Formula One Team
56
+1 round
1:38,211
2
10
27
Audi Revolut F1 Team
56
+1 round
1:38,114
1
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