Canadian Grand Prix winner George Russell feels he’s driving higher than he ever has as he approaches the ultimate six months of his Mercedes contract.
Sunday’s win in Montreal was arrange by Russell’s pole lap on Saturday, the place he beat Max Verstappen by 0.160s, and he duly held the lead off the road earlier than conserving the Dutchman at bay all through the race. Securing the fourth win of his profession, Russell – who’s out of contract on the finish of the season – says his performances assist his negotiating place.
“It would not damage!” Russell mentioned. “It would not damage in any respect. However as I’ve mentioned many instances, I am not involved in any respect about subsequent 12 months. I do know I will be on the grid subsequent 12 months. I really feel that I am driving higher than ever. I nonetheless really feel I’ve received extra within the tank.
“I really feel able to combat for a world championship, and I believe outcomes like at the moment, outcomes like Bahrain this 12 months after we received half an opportunity of outcome, we’re there to take it. And I am fairly relaxed. Simply having fun with the second, having fun with my racing, and simply taking it week by week.”
Russell admits Mercedes had excessive expectations arriving in Montreal following a powerful displaying a 12 months in the past, and is happy the group was capable of maximize its potential for its first win of the season.
“it has been nice to get the win and seeing Kimi [Antonelli] up right here as effectively on the rostrum. Actually, actually happy for him. And as a group, we have been performing so effectively this 12 months. Up till the final triple header, we would maximized each single race weekend, whether or not that was the P2 in Bahrain or the opposite podiums we had.
“However coming into Canada, we knew we did have the potential to combat for pole and for the race win, and, finally, it got here right down to that quali lap. There was clearly not a lot motion when it comes to positions shuffling round however actually happy with the job.”
Russell was made to attend for his victory to be confirmed by a Purple Bull protest, however through the race he felt he had Verstappen below management given the tempo Mercedes may show.
“To be trustworthy, for the final couple of weeks, clearly, there’s numerous noise occurring, after what occurred in Spain as effectively. However from my aspect, you set it to at least one aspect, and you recognize that when you make begin, you get right into a groove… I knew I had probably the quickest automotive, you have to dial into that and put all the further noise to at least one aspect.
“After all, it was a bit difficult at factors while you had Charles [Leclerc] and Lando [Norris] on the offset technique, and so they had been type of getting in our means. However as quickly as I had clear air, I may comfortably pull the hole out. It wasn’t useless simple, however I felt assured in myself and the automotive.
“I used to be conserving an in depth eye on how Kimi was getting on, and on the TVs, and seeing Lando and Oscar [Piastri] closing down. However, no, it was day, and I really feel pleased with myself, really feel pleased with the group, particularly after this time 12 months in the past when it was a victory misplaced.”
