Russell didn't want Williams to call orders amid battle
- Published on 24 Jun 2019 10:35
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- By: Fergal Walsh
George Russell was hoping that Williams wouldn't bring a halt to his encounter with teammate Robert Kubica during the French Grand Prix.
The two battled at the back of the grid in the early stages of the race, as Russell started behind Kubica due to taking on new engine component parts.
Russell attempted an overtake around the outside of Signes corner, and ran wide, hitting one of the polystyrene marker boards.
Running wide reportedly damaged Russell's front wing, but the Briton believes it was better to allow to pair to push each other in battle.
"In hindsight, we could have because the result of it was I damaged the front wing," Russell said. "But I didn't want to overtake him from a pit call. I wanted to overtake him fairly on track.
"The team has given us equal opportunities and that's how it should be.
"It's motivating on both sides of the garage to push and develop as much as much as we can. We just have to be patient for the coming races. Austria, Silverstone and Germany will probably be difficult weekends."
Russell was one of the few drivers that made more than one pit stop, as he switched onto the hard tyres for lap 23.
However, a handful of laps later, he was back in the pit lane for a fresh set of medium tyres, which brought him to the end of the race.
"From my side, I felt no difference [with the damaged front wing] but the team was seeing some issues," Russell commented. "I think maybe there was a small crack when I hit the polystyrene board.
"If we were fighting for points, we probably would have stayed out there and risk it. But there was no need."
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Replies (10)
Login to replyJuJuHound
Posts: 352
I just cannot stand Polish press who still calls Russell's car better prepared by Williams than Kubica's. It's obvious George is doing incredible job while Kubica is struggling. But this race was Kubica's best one. Of course best one doesn't mean good enough since after overtaking George built a gap quite quickly what showed the difference between the drivers (not the cars). I hope Kubica's progress will continiue.
f1fan0101
Posts: 1,804
do you think he will be booted?
JuJuHound
Posts: 352
I don't think so. Contract has been signed, the money has been transfered from Orlen Polish Oil Company, a lot of money... but I don't believe in another season. If yes, it means Williams is desperate.
wronatlen
Posts: 6
Oh, come on. Im not saying that Kubica is driving better than Russel, but don't You think there is enough evidence for differences in those cars? From the begging of the season Kubica has said many times that he "doesn't understand" many things. Even Claire Williams said that they had to resolve some technical problems with second car..
People have short memory..
And about tulle of this article - what for Russel said by the radio "You know that I can drive faster" when he was behind RK? after this he has got few instructions from his RI and AFTER THAT tried to overtake Kubica..
Do, I'm not judging anyone, just look sometimes wider and forward more than it shows one article..
JuJuHound
Posts: 352
wronatlen - I suspected you are a Polish fan.
Anyone here outside our country believes in different cars specification?
xoya
Posts: 583
I am from Serbia and I honestly don't know. I want to believe that different spec car is the cause of Kubica's lack of pace, since I like him very much, but I suspect his arm just isn't up to the task.
Simulator is one thing, real life G-forces are another.
Plus Russell trully is a superstar. :)
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
I agree with Xoya, I kinda don't want to believe this is "the Kubica". But it is. I was one of the more careful supporters of his reentry, citing my concerns about his arm, and I cannot help but, like xoya, feel that could be a decisive factor in his lack of competitiveness. He has been beaten to a pulp by Russell. It isn't due to a skill gap, of that I'm sure, and I doubt Williams would tamper with his car. The issues wronatien mentioned were just that. Issues. And they were since then amended. The current FIA inspect the cars so thoroughly, that the kinda modifications conspiracy theorists suspect would never pass.
wronatlen
Posts: 6
Yes, I'm Polish. But I really want to look at whole case standing aside of my nationality. Of course I do think that Kubica is driving differently than before his accident, and there are consequences of that. I was fan of Williams since Senna times, and really enjoyed Konica contract signing. But there were many interviews with Kubica when he said something about car and team, and then stopped talking in a blink of eye. I'm watching F1 almost 30y and saw f.e. vet Vs web. This reminds me this situation..
Look at Kubica race starts, every time he's in front of Russel, not mentioning other faster cars, but then he is struggling, especially at long straights, mostly because of lack of traction.
Let's wait and see - I don't think Kubica forgot how to drive. I hope whole Williams will get up from knees, and show us again that they have racing DNA in vains.
Wish best luck for Rus and Kub, and fair fight in front rows.
JuJuHound
Posts: 352
@wronatlen
you need to look at the other side:
Kubica - spent last couple years without driving in that kind of cars
Russell - challenged last years in different series including F3 & F2 where he won it; he was better than Norris or Albon. All these guys are incredible fast and George was better in lower categories;
It means Kubica is fighting against the best from the rookies and the rookies this year are so competetive making older drivers life hard
Kubica might be the same man he was but F1 has changed; Please remember Schumacher's comeback - it looks very similar - different cars, different era - no more spectacular results;
wronatlen
Posts: 6
@JuJuHound
Yep, you're right. Like I said I'm not depreciating Russell's talent. But you must admit that in Schumacher comeback story there wasn't any strange news, and now even Italian or British publicists saying sometimes that Williams maybe couldn't play fair. Let's wait - I think someday we will see real story.