George Russell of Mercedes-AMG wants Formula 1 to permit alterations to car setups after the first practice session (FP1) during sprint race weekends. As of now, after the first session on Friday, the vehicles are placed in parc fermé. This requires teams to run both qualifying rounds, the sprint race, and the main race with the unaltered setup. The only exception is if teams choose to modify the setup, which would require the driver to begin the race from the pit lane.
During the Spa race, Russell and his teammate Lewis Hamilton opted for different levels of downforce, but the bad weather during Friday’s practice meant they had to stick with their initial choices. In a regular Grand Prix weekend, they might have adjusted these settings.
Russell finds the current rules to be a significant challenge and equated the situation to handing a tennis player their racquet just an hour before the Wimbledon final without any practice, forcing them to adapt. He acknowledges that this can make the sport thrilling but argues that it’s not how other sports function. He understands the reasoning but thinks it would be beneficial to allow setup changes at a particular stage of the weekend.
Furthermore, Russell expressed his appreciation for F1’s August summer break, seeing it as a vital opportunity for everyone involved in the intense sport to take a breather and recharge. He views the two-week pause as a time to rejuvenate and possibly come up with new ways to enhance performance. He’s also supportive of the idea of a similar break during the winter, mainly for the benefit of the engineers and designers at the factory, considering the relentless and demanding nature of the sport. He believes this addition would be positive.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about fokus keyword Russell
What does George Russell want to change about the car setup rules on sprint weekends?
Russell wants Formula 1 to allow changes to car setups after the first practice session (FP1) during sprint race weekends. He finds the current rules, which lock the cars into parc ferme after FP1, challenging and feels that allowing modifications would be beneficial.
Why does Russell compare the current setup rules to a tennis situation?
Russell compares the current rules to handing a tennis player their racquet just an hour before the Wimbledon final without any practice. He uses this analogy to illustrate how the lack of ability to change car setups after FP1 can put drivers in an unexpected and challenging position.
What are Russell’s thoughts on the F1’s August summer break?
Russell appreciates F1’s August summer break as a crucial opportunity for everyone involved in the sport to take a breather and recharge. He sees the two-week pause as a time to rejuvenate and possibly come up with new ways to enhance performance. He’s also supportive of a similar break during the winter.
4 comments
Russell’s got a point but sometimes these rules make the sport more exciting. Every1 has to adapt. thats whats unique about F1.
George Russell knows his stuff, and if he’s advocating for this, I think F1 should listen! Those engineers and designers need a break too. Even warriors need rest.
Totally agree with Russel here, F1 should defintely allow setup changes after FP1. its like, why not let them adjust to the conditions?
I dont get why they lock them in parc ferme so early. seems realy counterintuitive. Great comparison to tennis tho!