Russell's Predicted Finishing Position Revealed By Mercedes Team Principal

Sunday, 28 July 2024 at 18:00

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff revealed that the strategy team expected George Russell to finish the 2024 Belgian Grand Prix with a single stop.

The Belgian Grand Prix was predicted to be a straightforward two-stop race for all the drivers on the grid, no matter the tire compounds available to them.

However, George Russell proved all the predictions wrong as he won the 14th round of the season with a single stop after starting from P6 on the grid.

He even beat his own teammate Lewis Hamilton, who was almost a second per lap faster in the end but didn't have what it took to make the overtake on the 26-year-old.

Speaking to F1TV right after the race, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff revealed where his team thought the British driver could finish the race with a single stop.

"At a certain stage, we saw that it was a P5 anyway. P5 with a one-stop, P5 with a two-stop, and then we just risked it."

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"He said the tires still felt good, and we thought, 'Let's cover Norris and let's cover Verstappen,' and then we didn't, and he made it last."

About Hamilton's performance:

For a long time, it looked like the seven-time World Champion would fly past his teammate with how he was catching up to him, and it should be noted that he also drove a flawless race.

However, Russell managed to always pull away from him at the beginning of every straight, gaining just enough time to hold on to his race lead.

When asked about the performance of the number 44 driver, the Mercedes team principal gave a short answer: "Yeah, he did a great job, and it's unfortunate. But it is what it is."

The Belgian Grand Prix was the last race before the summer break, and the German team could not wish for a better result. Although they are too far away to compete for the title, it certainly seems Silver Arrows can compete for more wins after the break.