The balance of power between the various engine manufacturers has changed significantly at the start of the year in Formula 1. Mercedes F1 and its customers have lost a great deal of power. However, that doesn’t worry George Russell, who saw encouraging signs once morest Ferrari in Jeddah from qualifying for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
“Everything seemed better when we started the engines for qualifying” Russell said. “We were relatively on par with Ferrari in terms of straight-line speed.
Russell was impressed with Red Bull’s aero compromise and the RB18’s speed: “Red Bull certainly had fewer ailerons than us, but they seem to pick up really fast when they’re halfway down the straight.
“They seem to be doing a better job of reducing their drag at high speeds. Their pace on the straights at the moment is extraordinary, so we have to work in all areas to catch up with our speed.”
Russell is still hoping Mercedes F1 can have a word in the title race once morest Red Bull and Ferrari. But he admits that it will be necessary to gain in performance to achieve this, on the side of Brackley and Brixworth.
“We’re certainly not out of it. But for sure if we can’t make progress there’s no way we can fight for this championship. We’re definitely not going to give up. We came out of those first two races as the third best team.”
“I don’t know what the championship looks like, but even if we continue like this for the next five, six, seven or eight races, we’ll still be within reach, I would say. There’s no reason why we can’t. can’t reverse the situation.”
