Mercedes started the Qatar GP from an enviable position. George Russell was 2nd on the grid, and Lewis Hamilton was 3rd. Max Verstappen was alone at the front and the McLarens were starting further down the grid. However, what followed is one of the worst nightmares of any Formula 1 team.
Differing Tyre Strategies
Mercedes started both their drivers on different tyres for the Qatar GP. George Russell started on the mediums and Lewis Hamilton on the softs. While the Sprint race proved the softs would degrade quickly, they would’ve been useful for the start.
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Race Start
At the start of the Qatar GP, George Russell got a good launch and so did Lewis Hamilton. However, in the second phase of the start, Lewis was much quicker because of his softer tyres. Therefore, he gained on George and tried to pass him around the outside.
However, George Russell had been boxed behind Max at the start of the Qatar GP. As he moved to his left to get in free air, he found Lewis Hamilton coming right across. Two cars can’t occupy the same spot, and Mercedes found that out the harsh way.
Lewis Hamilton immediately lost his rear-right tyre and beached himself at turn 1. Meanwhile, George Russell managed to continue racing at the Qatar GP. However, he had to pit due to a front-left puncture which left him in last place.
George’s Recovery
George Russell didn’t give up on the Qatar GP after the first lap. He put his head down for a 4-stop Formula 1 race. He kept the pace up and eventually finished in 4th ahead of Charles Leclerc and Fernando Alonso.
Also Read: Qatar GP: Max Verstappen wins once again as McLaren secure double podium
Reaction from the Drivers
Lewis Hamilton took full responsibility for the incident at the Qatar GP after watching the replays. He apologized to the Mercedes team as well. He put out a tweet saying, “I’ve watched the replay and it was 100% my fault and I take full responsibility. Apologies to my team and to George.”
George Russell, in the post-race interview, said, “I’m obviously bitterly disappointed with what happened at the start. It all happened so quick… I made a good start, Lewis made a good start, I was alongside Max, and next thing just got completely sandwiched. There was nowhere I [could] go.”
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