Mercedes are fighting Ferrari for second in the Formula 1 Constructors’ Title. The last thing they need is George Russell and Lewis Hamilton fighting with each other. But that’s exactly what happened at the Japanese GP as they kept finding each other on track.
Start of the Race
Lewis Hamilton suffered minor damage due to contact with Sergio Perez at the start of the Japanese GP. Fernando Alonso overtook both Mercedes cars by starting on the softs.
After the safety car, George Russell overtook Lewis at the last chicane. But Lewis Hamilton kept his car in the hunt. He got a slipstream and flew past his teammate at the first corner of the next lap. It was one of his best moves in this Formula 1 season.
After the VSC
After a VSC caused by Perez, Lewis Hamilton made a mistake and went over the kerbs at the second Degner. George Russell sensed an opportunity and lined up for a move. As both Mercedes went around the Spoon Curve, Hamilton pushed George wide and out of the track.
George Russell said to Mercedes, “Who do we want to fight here, each other, or the others?”, over the Team Radio. Mercedes immediately pitted Lewis Hamilton in the next lap to separate their two cars.
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End of the Race
In a race where people went for 3 stops, George Russell opted to stay on a 1-stop strategy. The race result shows he didn’t lose anything. But everyone else caught him by the end of the race. Mercedes didn’t want to invert him and Lewis Hamilton immediately. George resisted but Mercedes were firm.
Lewis Hamilton moved ahead but stayed back to give the DRS to George Russell. This was after George came on the radio to say, “You want to play the team game. He pushed me off the track earlier, that’s the least he can do.”
Carlos Sainz was on to the strategy as he said on the radio, “They’re using my trick against me.”
However, the tyre delta was too much and Carlos breezed past Russell’s Mercedes. Lewis Hamilton displayed a brilliant defense in the final few laps to keep him behind.
Also Read: Oscar Piastri gets first Formula 1 podium, McLaren secure 2-3 at Japanese GP
What the Drivers’ Said
Lewis said: “I scored the most points for the team, I’m really trying to hold on for the Constructors’ titles, because I know how important it is for everyone in the background, back at the factories.”
George said, “That radio is a bit of a venting tool towards releasing some frustration.”
Twitter Reactions
With Lewis Hamilton fighting for P2 in the Formula 1 championship, Twitter Users were not impressed with George Russell. Here are their reactions:
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