Russell Criticizes “Borderline” Defending by Leclerc at British Grand Prix

UNITED KINGDOM: George Russell expressed frustration with Charles Leclerc’s defending maneuvers throughout the British Grand Prix, labeling them “very borderline.” Though Russell doesn’t plan to boost the difficulty on the following drivers’ assembly, he believes Leclerc’s actions have been questionable.

Beginning behind the Ferraris, he utilized his tender tires to his benefit, shortly overtaking Carlos Sainz and settling in fifth place behind Leclerc. 

– Commercial –

Nevertheless, the Monégasque driver repeatedly thwarted his makes an attempt to go, as Leclerc forcefully closed the door, executing not less than one double transfer throughout his defensive maneuvers.

Russell voiced his dissatisfaction, stating, “If that’s not transferring below braking, then I don’t know what’s.” 

– Commercial –

Leclerc’s engineer, Xavier Marcos Padros, echoed the Mercedes driver’s frustrations and instructed Leclerc over the radio, saying, “No extra transferring below braking.”

Ultimately, Russell discovered a chance to overhaul when Leclerc made a pit cease. He secured a fifth-place end within the race, whereas Leclerc might solely handle ninth. 

– Commercial –

Regardless of his disappointment along with his rivals’ defending ways, Russell believes that the punishment handed to Leclerc, described as a “slap on the wrist,” was inadequate.

Russell pinpointed the braking into Flip 16 as the particular level of rivalry, explaining, “I used to be about to lunge him down inside, and proper on the braking zone, he got here throughout fairly aggressively. That’s not allowed within the guidelines.” 

Nevertheless, he acknowledged that he has but to evaluate the incident on video and isn’t overly involved about it.

Along with his frustrations with Leclerc, Russell additionally encountered issue passing Oscar Piastri after a Security Automobile restart. 

Regardless of being on sooner tender tires in comparison with Piastri’s more durable compound, Russell couldn’t make progress and ultimately fell out of the DRS vary. 

His teammate, Lewis Hamilton, confronted an identical problem whereas battling Lando Norris’s McLaren for second place.

Reflecting on the race, Russell expressed shock on the sturdy efficiency of the McLaren automobiles, saying, “I believed it was going to be clear minimize, Lewis and I P2 and P3, and goodbye.” 

He believed that the medium/laborious tire technique was the improper alternative and that the tender tires supplied a major benefit for his rivals.

Whereas Russell doesn’t intend to handle the difficulty within the upcoming drivers’ assembly on the Hungarian Grand Prix, he hopes that the FIA will evaluate the incident and applicable motion taken to stop comparable questionable defending strikes in future races.

Additionally Learn: Max Verstappen Extends Successful Streak with Thrilling Victory at British Grand Prix