George Russell defends modern F1: “Old V8 era was loud but boring”. George Russell defends modern Formula 1 regulations.

George Russell, speaking in an interview with the BBC, defended the new Formula 1 regulations by comparing them to the past, describing the old era as loud but not necessarily exciting in terms of racing action.

“I remember Formula 1 from twenty years ago: incredible engine sound, possibly the purest ever, but almost no overtaking. It was boring. We tend to idealise the past and criticise the present. Yet these new regulations and cars have many positive aspects. A champion from the 1980s and 1990s once told me about their ‘boost’: +300 horsepower, but then they would run out of fuel at the end of the straight. The same problems have always existed, just in different forms. We focus on the flaws now, just as we focus on the magic of back then.”

The coexistence between an experienced driver and a hungry young talent always generates significant expectations within the Formula 1 paddock. To immediately shut down any rumours of tension or “cold wars” inside the Mercedes garage, George Russell stepped in personally. Speaking to CNN, the British driver was asked about the possibility of using psychological tactics to undermine the confidence of his new and highly rated teammate, Andrea Kimi Antonelli.

Russell’s response was firm and decisive, reflecting both maturity and a strong sense of sporting respect.

“It is absolutely not part of my way of working to act like that,” said the Mercedes driver from Brackley. “If I take someone like Lewis Hamilton as a benchmark, I see a professional who has achieved an unbelievable amount of success throughout his career, and he has always done it while showing great fairness and real dignity on track.”

The British driver then emphasized that his confidence comes purely from his performance on track and his own abilities, rejecting the idea of relying on underhand tactics to gain an advantage.

“I am fully aware of my own value and of who I really am,” George Russell continued. “I know very well my potential and what I am capable of when I am in the car. For that reason, I have absolutely no need to achieve results through any kind of tricks or shortcuts.”

It is a very clear message from George Russell, one that sets a strong foundation for a healthy internal rivalry at Mercedes, based on respect and pure performance rather than psychological games.