Another Podium
George Russell leaves Miami with his third podium in six Grand Prix and his streak of top-5 finishes still intact. The Mercedes driver is having a great start to the season, but even he is disheartened by the gap to McLaren’s winner, Oscar Piastri: 37.6 seconds, a huge gap. Since Australia, George Russell has been the first to publicly state that McLaren is currently in a “different” championship compared to the other teams, and today once again, this was confirmed.
“I think it was pretty clear today,” said the #63 to Sky Sport F1 microphones, “McLaren was miles ahead, and when it’s hot, that’s how it is. When it’s cold, like in China, they win by 10 seconds; when it’s hot, like in Bahrain or Miami, they win by 30 seconds. Today by 37. So there’s a team that’s doing things right in terms of the tires, and it’s up to us to find solutions.”
Unbeatable, Unless…
George Russell then frankly explained what might be the only obstacle for the papaya team for the rest of the season: “The only way they can be caught is if the FIA takes something away from them,” he declared. “There’s no update anyone can bring to close this gap.” George Russell’s comment could be referring to the new rule on the flexibility of front wings, which will come into effect at the Spanish Grand Prix. However, in George Russell’s words, there doesn’t seem to be any criticism or resentment towards the Woking team, but rather admiration.
“Everyone said the same thing about Red Bull last season, and then they went backwards and others moved forward, and at some point, they were no longer the best. Let’s cross our fingers and hope it goes that way,” George Russell concluded at the end of the Miami Grand Prix. “But you have to recognize they are a great team because they’ve done an amazing job.”
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