A young George Russell joined the decorated Formula One team Mercedes in 2022, hoping to emulate the success of seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton. However, the reality hit Russell hard in the first year itself as the Silver Arrows witnessed unprecedented challenges to generate pace from the car in the aftermath of 2021 regulation changes.
Further, the hopes of a better season in 2023 were squashed at the Bahrain test run itself as Mercedes’ W14 seemed wrecked. Regardless, the entire team fought back throughout the season to put up a good show. They did produce minimal performance gains. But it was not good enough to chase down the flying Red Bulls. Meanwhile, Russell’s car is set to undergo massive change ahead of the penultimate race weekend of the season.
George Russell To Escape Grid Penalty Despite Having New Engine In Las Vegas!
Last year, in Brazil, George Russell secured his maiden career win with Mercedes. It also happened to be the Silver Arrows’ lone win of the disappointing 2022 season. However, in 2023, Russell’s struggles refuse to die down. At the very same venue wherein he witnessed his first win last year, Russell faced a DNF in 2023. For starters, Mercedes looked off the whole weekend. Additionally, the Briton faced engine issues, which led to a precautionary DNF. Subsequently, for the upcoming Las Vegas Grand Prix, George’s W14 will have a new engine. The team’s head of trackside performance, Riccardo Musconi, confirmed the same via a YouTube video.
Riccardo added that George Russell will not face a grid penalty as it’s his second engine of the season, which is way below the allowed limit set by FIA. Also, the official said that an engine replacement was always a part of Russell’s season plan. He was bound to have a new engine for the final two races of the season. Musconi further addressed the Briton’s abrupt retirement in Brazil. He confirmed that it was a precautionary and calculated measure. George’s W14 witnessed unusual overheating, which posed the risk of fire and damage to other parts of the car. “The logical conclusion was to retire the car,” said Musconi. With drivers and constructors championships out of the picture, George Russell will look to finish the season on a high.
George Russell Left Puzzled By Mercedes’ Performance Drop In Brazil!
The Brazil race weekend turned out to be an absolute nightmare for Mercedes driver George Russell, who secured P1 at the same venue in 2022. Engine issues led to an abrupt retirement, which left the Briton puzzled and heartbroken at the same time. During the post-race interview, Russell said that the sudden drop in performance of W14 was very strange.
Mercedes were, in fact, fighting for the podium just a week ago in Mexico, and then to struggle to stay in points range in Sao Paulo was an extreme disappointment. “Something doesn’t quite add up. You don’t just suddenly lose a second’s worth of performance and go from a podium fighting car to just fighting for points,” said George Russell. Nonetheless, the Briton confirmed that the team will regroup to have a better weekend in Las Vegas.
