Russell: Fundamental issue will take months to fix
- Published on 16 Mar 2019 12:47
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- By: Fergal Walsh
A fundamental issue that is hampering Williams' 2019 season will take months of development to fix, according to its driver George Russell.
The Grove-based outfit has emerged as the slowest team in the field this year, continuing on from its disappointing 2018 campaign.
At Saturday's qualifying session, Russell and teammate Robert Kubica finished 19th and 20th respectively, with Russell 1.3 seconds away from his nearest competitor.
Williams is set for a number of tough Grand Prix weekends ahead, and Russell says that even when the problems are solved, it expects to remain at the back of the field, albeit closer to the pack.
"We understand what that is but it doesn’t mean we can wake up on Monday morning and rectify it,” Russell said.
“To change something so fundamental will take months of development and work in the simulator, the designers working out how to do it, but that’s what needs to be done at the moment.
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Replies (4)
Login to replycalle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Also, heads must roll.
Ram Samartha
Posts: 1,172
I was somewhat surprised to see Kubica's lack of pace but that lack of pace may well be why they decided not to put him in a car last year. In the Netflix series there was a scene where Claire was expressing doubt over whether or not she was up for the job. I think only a change at the top is what's going to turn around Williams. I can't imagine Frank is very happy.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Honestly, Im not. Seems harsh, but reality is that it's impressive that he is on the grid at all, and maybe slightly concerning too considering the kinda longterm harm overstraining himself could induce (at the same time it might be worth it to sit in an F1 car...). Couple that with a car that somehow looks even worse than last year's piece of utter mank, and I don't find it surprising to see him last. Which sucks, hard. It's still early days, and he might come good later, but I don't expect it. If he does, I'll be thrilled.
Sadtomato
Posts: 48
They might be better off with Kubica running the team and Claire driving the car! As for a 'fundamental promlem that will take months to fix' did we not hear that from them last year? Don't they Learn?