Russell: Drivers don’t get quicker, they get better

George Russell does not believe F1 drivers get “quicker”, what they do is become more experienced and more consistent.

And it is that “very wide window of experience” that he gained while at Williams, that he hopes will see him succeed with his new team Mercedes.

After three years with Williams, a mixed bags of highs and lows for the driver, Russell has been signed by Mercedes as Lewis Hamilton’s 2022 team-mate.

The move will mean the Briton is going from the back of the grid to the very front, joining a team where he will be expected to win grands prix and even fight for the World title.

Russell reckons the “toolbox of experience” that he has gained to date in Formula 1 will stand him in good stead.

“I don’t believe a driver gets quicker,” he told GPFans. “They do get better, more consistent and probably what has allowed me to do that is having a better understanding of the technical side.

“What does it take to get the tyres in the right window to start a lap? How do you deal with your out laps to make sure you’re in the right position, not in too much traffic? If there is traffic, how do you deal with that? What do you need to do differently if a tyre is too hot or too cold?

“Having built up that toolbox of experience knowing, right, I couldn’t have the perfect out lap because there was some traffic in sector three so I’m going to be slightly under the limit at Turn 1, but then from Turn 2 onwards the tyre should be in a good window to be able to go from there.

“If you go banzai into Turn 1 and the tyres are slightly too cold, your lap’s gone. So [it is about] understanding these limitations.

“Then when you get into a race that’s the really tricky bit, managing so many things at once.”

Entering Formula 1 with the