George Russell has Williams optimism for 2021 as Brit looks to prove Mercedes credentials

F1: George Russell hikes during the off-season

When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters.Sometimes they’ll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer.Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights.You can unsubscribe at any time.

George Russell believes Williams have a shot at points this season in Formula One, after ending last season without any for the first time in their history and having managed just one single point in 2019.

There’s been big changes heading into the 2021 season, with the team’s future now assured after financial stress last season.

The new owners take over from the Williams family and closer technical ties to engine suppliers Mercedes are agreed for 2021 and beyond.

And it is the Silver Arrows whom Russell is looking to impress this season knowing that there is the possibility of a 2022 race seat with the world champions.

“I believe this year’s car definitely has more potential than the last two cars that I’ve driven,” Russell said.

JUST IN:
Christian Horner ‘winced constantly’ while watching Drive to Survive

“We came close a number of times last year, I’d like to think we could scrape into the points some time this season.

“Twenty three (we never start a sentence with a numerical digit) races, a lot can happen, difficult conditions, and like we alluded to two weeks ago in testing, I think our competitiveness will be a little bit up and down this year, like it will be for a lot of teams out there.

“We have to make sure the times we are competitive, we capitalise on that, and I don’t think it will necessarily be this weekend.

“I think It will be a very tricky weekend for us, with the conditions on the forecast, but I do believe at some point this year, in more normal conditions, we’ll see the true pace of the car and that will be more positive.

DON’T MISS:
Valtteri Bottas needs to unleash inner beast to destabilise Hamilton
Michael Schumacher’s legacy pressure will be no issue for son Mick
Daniel Ricciardo: How Aussie was ‘thrown to the wolves’ in F1

The team aims to bounce back from a difficult period in Formula One, which saw the team finish last in the Constructors’ Championship in each of the past three seasons.

However Russell believes after testing, there’s positivity coming out from the Williams camp.

“I think we’re as prepared as possible considering we only had three days of testing, I thought the team did a fantastic job over the course of those days,” Russell explained.

“We’ve got through all of the programme with no issues and just looking forward to going racing, and seeing where everyone fizzles out really.

However, when asked if Williams will take more gambles with race strategies in 2021, Russell was realistic in his response.

“That can be a very traitorous approach, and can be very demoralising for any team,” continued Russell.

“If you’re going into every Sunday putting all your chips on green and hoping for the best, probably 22 out of 23 times it’s not going to pay off.

“We have great strategists, we have a great race team, we have great simulations on that front, we need to just go out there and get the best possible results.

“If something happens in the middle of a race and we see that things aren’t quite going our way, a safety car in the middle and we stay out, then maybe we will.

I do believe we have a more competitive car this season, I don’t think it will be shown in Bahrain this week.

“We just have to go out there each weekend and do the best job possible and see what comes from it.”

Source: Read Full Article