Wolff calls for calm after Russell tops Sakhir practice
Toto Wolff called for calm after seeing George Russell set the fastest time in his first Formula 1 practice session in the Mercedes W11 car.
Williams regular Russell will make his first start for Mercedes this weekend in Bahrain after being drafted in to replace seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, who tested positive for COVID-19.
Russell hit the ground running in opening practice for the Sakhir Grand Prix, finishing at the top of the timesheets and beating teammate Valtteri Bottas by three-tenths of a second. He then repeated the feat in FP2, as Bottas had his soft-tyre laptime deleted for exceeding track limits.
But Mercedes team principal Wolff called for calm in the wake of Russell’s result, feeling there were a number of factors to consider and not get too excited about.
“We need to calm everybody down, because it was a first session on a new and short circuit,” Wolff said after FP1. “He delivered a really solid job, what we expected from him on a single lap.
“The long runs are difficult with all the cars anyway, and difficult to really establish a benchmark because Valtteri broke his car very early on in the [FP1] session.
“He wasn’t really able to stop it properly. So I would say I’m happy with what George has done. It’s about what we expected him to.”
Russell has been part of Mercedes’ young driver programme since the end of 2016, and is the first member to race for its works team.
The British driver is yet to score a point in his F1 career, but has impressed with his performances for the backmarker Williams squad, as well as winning the title in Formula 2 and GP3 Series prior to joining the grid.
Wolff felt Russell’s mentality and talent had been proven throughout his career, meaning he had no issues stepping up to a front-running car and dealing with the related pressures.
“He’s somebody that is generally relaxed,” Wolff said. “He comes across on the radio as chatty and buzzing, but driving the car, in the debriefs, he’s very focused and calm.
“The race record that he has, winning GP3, winning F2, both in the rookie years, and the maturity he has shown from a very early age stand out.
“I remember him coming to my office when he was 15 or 16 years old with a black suit and a black tie with a powerpoint presentation why Mercedes should support him. So very mature for his age.
“But probably well-suited from his personality to jump in the car in such a high-pressure situation.
“Let’s keep both feet on the ground, it’s FP1. We haven’t discussed it, [they] haven’t been taken out in anger, and haven’t raced yet.”
Related video
Previous article
Hamilton "not feeling great" with mild COVID-19 symptoms
Next article
How Bahrain F1 crash showed warrior mentality hasn’t gone away
About this article
| Series | Formula 1 |
| Event | Sakhir GP |
| Drivers | George Russell |
| Teams | Mercedes |
| Author | Luke Smith |
How Do Drivers Stay Fit For F1 Grand Prix?
Ronnie Peterson and Jochen Rindt Tribute
#ThinkingForward with Juan Pablo Montoya
The delay that quashed Aston Martin’s last F1 venture
Aston Martin’s only previous foray into Formula 1 in the late 1950s was a short-lived and unsuccessful affair. But it could have been so different, says Nigel Roebuck.
Verstappen exclusive: Why lack of titles won't hurt Red Bull's ace
Max Verstappen’s star quality in Formula 1 is clear. Now equipped with a Red Bull car that is, right now, the world title favourite and the experience to support his talent, could 2021 be the Dutchman’s year to topple the dominant force of Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes?
Is Formula 1 as good as it has ever been now?
For many, many years Formula 1 has strived to do and to be better on all fronts. With close competition, a growing fanbase, a stable political landscape and rules in place to encourage sustainability, 2021 is on course to provide an unexpected peak
How Williams’ new structure adheres to a growing F1 trend
Williams held out against the tide for many years but, as MARK GALLAGHER explains, the age of the owner-manager is long gone
When a journeyman driver's F1 career lasted just 800m
Nikita Mazepin’s Formula 1 debut at the Bahrain Grand Prix lasted mere corners before he wiped himself out in a shunt, but his financial backing affords him a full season. Back in 1993 though, Marco Apicella was an F1 driver for just 800m before a first corner fracas ended his career. Here’s the story of his very short time at motorsport’s pinnacle.
How Raikkonen's rapid rise stalled his teammate's F1 career climb
Kimi Raikkonen's emergence as a Formula 1 star in his rookie campaign remains one of the legendary storylines from 2001, but his exploits had an unwanted impact on his Sauber teammate's own prospects. Twenty years on from his first F1 podium at the Brazilian GP, here's how Nick Heidfeld's career was chilled by the Iceman.
The nightmare timing that now hinders Mercedes
Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton took victory at the Bahrain Grand Prix despite, for a change, not having the quickest car. But any hopes of developing its W12 to surpass Red Bull's RB16B in terms of outright speed could not have come at a worse time.
How Verstappen's Bahrain mistake can only make him stronger
Max Verstappen lost out to Lewis Hamilton at the Bahrain Grand Prix by a tiny margin, slipping off the track just as victory was within his grasp. But the painful lesson from defeat can only help Verstappen come back even stronger
