George Russell missed out on a second career victory at the Canadian Grand Prix last weekend. Russell bagged a shock pole position but made a series of costly errors in the race.
The Mercedes driver built up a healthy lead at first but he eventually came under pressure from Lando Norris and Max Verstappen behind. He ended up falling from P1 to P3 in a matter of moments.
Norris got past heading into the final chicane, and Russell had to take the run-off area. That allowed Verstappen to sweep through as the Briton navigated his way around the bollard.
Russell was able to regain P2 later in the race after Norris missed a split-second chance to pit under the first safety car. But he then went off the track at the end of the second sector and surrendered the position.
After making a second pit stop for fresh tyres, he botched an attempted move on the other McLaren of Oscar Piastri at the final corner. Team principal Toto Wolff said the pass was ‘never on’.
After a frantic finale, Russell eventually crossed the line in third. It was Mercedes’ first podium of the season, but it could have been more.
Damon Hill calls George Russell move on Lewis Hamilton ‘desperate’
Russell briefly dropped as low as fifth in the closing stages. When he failed to bully his way past Piastri, he once again bailed out into the run-off, which allowed teammate Lewis Hamilton by.
Hamilton executed a clean pass on Piastri, as did Russell at the second attempt. He then reclaimed third with what Damon Hill called a ‘desperate’ move on the sister car into the final corner.
It was an intense but ultimately respectful clash between the two Mercedes stars. And yet, speaking on the Sky Sports F1 podcast, Hill said a more ‘confident’ driver wouldn’t have attempted the manoeuvre.
The 1996 F1 world champion feels that Russell needs to control his emotions if he’s to achieve his ultimate ambitions. He pointed to the example of the 2021 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix during his Williams days, when he angrily confronted Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas after a heavy crash on the start/finish straight.
“He has been a bit hot-headed sometimes – the Bottas thing at Imola, and also two of his overtakes in Canada,” Hill said. “One didn’t work and the other one did, but only because Lewis spotted it at the last minute.
“He went down the inside in a pretty brave move, it has to be said. If you’re confident, you don’t need to do those desperate moves. You can bide your time a bit.”
Why Russell’s Mercedes seat could be under threat thanks to Kimi Antonelli
Much of the focus at Mercedes this season has been on the search for Hamilton’s replacement. Russell has taken the opportunity to seize control of the intra-team battle, opening up an 8-1 lead in qualifying and a 14-point advantage in the championship.
Given that his teammate is a seven-time world champion and the most successful driver in F1 history, this is an impressive feat. But Russell may be beginning to realise that he faces a fight for his seat nonetheless.
Rumours suggest that Verstappen will consider leaving Red Bull and joining Mercedes in 12 months’ time. With academy driver Kimi Antonelli poised to succeed Hamilton, Wolff could soon be picking from three drivers for two seats.
As much as Russell has undoubtedly performed well this year, he needs to prove to Wolff that he has more long-term potential than 17-year-old Antonelli. And a big part of that will be showing greater composure in high-pressure moments.
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