Russell Would Not Want To Be In Ferrari's Shoes Going Into Last Race Of Season
F1Saturday, 25 November 2023 at 04:00
Mercedes driver George Russell told the media he prefers his position to the one that Ferrari is in going into the last race of the 2023 season - the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
The last race of the season at Yas Marina Circuit will be the deciding race in the battle for second place in the Constructors' Championship between Mercedes and Scuderia Ferrari.
Mercedes goes into the weekend with a four-point lead over the Italian team, so the Silver Arrows have the upper hand in the battle. George Russell told the media in Abu Dhabi:
"We're excited for the challenge ahead. It's going to be a close fight with Ferrari. They are obviously coming off the back of a strong race, but I'd definitely prefer to be in the position we are in than in their shoes."
Mercedes had an unfortunate weekend in Las Vegas last week when three different collisions on track set back both Russell and Lewis Hamilton. The 25-year-old continued:
"I think we just need to go out there, focus on ourselves, try and be as fast as possible, and if we do so, we'll finish ahead."
The Mercedes F1 driver wants to go in with an open mind because the expectations of the performance of different teams at different circuits did not always match reality.
"They were definitely pretty competitive here last year, but we've been surprised a lot this season of which teams are fast at which races and vice versa, so we're going in with an open mind."
Ferrari has shown a very strong qualifying pace in the previous four Grand Prix qualifications, three of which were won by Charles Leclerc. Russell acknowledged the fact, but thinks the race will be a place for his team to shine.
"Qualifying, I think they'll [Ferrari] slightly have the upper hand as they tended to do so this season, but come Sunday, I think it'll be a different story, and we'll have a good race."
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