George Russell Can’t Wait to Leave Ground Effect Era Behind
“Can’t f** wait, to be honest.”
That’s how George Russell feels about Formula 1’s upcoming regulation change as Mercedes finally prepares to exit what has been a frustrating ground effect era.
Russell joined Mercedes from Williams in 2022 just as F1 introduced the current ground effect regulations. Talk about bad timing. While he’s managed five victories and finished fourth in the standings this season, he’s never had a real shot at the world title.
The British driver didn’t mince words about moving on from the current rules.
“I can’t wait,” he said. “I’m glad this season is done and this era is over. It’s been so tough for a lot of teams, very difficult to understand, but we’ve all got a clean slate next year and that’s good,” he told GPblog.
Mercedes struggled badly with the ground effect cars, dealing with the infamous “porpoising” issues that plagued their early designs. What should have been Russell’s dream move to a top team turned into a technical nightmare.
Looking ahead, Russell is keeping expectations in check.
“Right now I’m just thinking about the next couple of days and Christmas,” he said. “I’m not getting carried away, but the truth is, no one knows. We’re going with an open mind, but I’m feeling good.”
Russell Tips Hat to New World Champion
Russell also took time to congratulate Lando Norris on claiming his first Formula 1 drivers’ title after the season finale in Abu Dhabi.
“Yeah, I mean, massive. Well done, to be honest,” he said of his fellow Brit’s achievement. “I think especially the second half of the year, he’s driven pretty amazingly.”
“And I know it’s pretty tense, this last race weekend, but I think it ended up in the right hands.”
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