George Russell isn’t mincing words about the state of Formula 1. After finishing fifth at the United States Grand Prix, the Mercedes driver admitted that races have become “a race to Turn 1,” where results are largely determined by qualifying and the start rather than on-track overtakes.
“F1 is unfortunately pretty monotonous at the moment,” Russell said. “There’s very little tyre degradation, and the difference between the fastest and slowest cars in the top six is about 0.3 seconds. You need half a second to even think about overtaking.”
That narrow gap has turned many Grands Prix into processions. “I can’t remember the last time I ran a two-stop strategy,” he added, lamenting how strategy and degradation — once crucial elements — have faded from modern F1.
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When the race ends before it begins
Russell’s frustration came to a head in Austin. Starting fifth, he was passed by Oscar Piastri’s McLaren off the line and never recovered. “If I had come out of Turn 1 in third, I’d have been on the podium. But I came out sixth and finished sixth,” he explained.
His comments point to how qualifying margins have become the defining factor of race outcomes. “If I’d been 0.02 seconds quicker yesterday, I’d have been on the front row and probably finished second. That’s how small the margins are.”
The Briton believes Formula 1’s current format puts too much weight on grid position. “Qualifying is everything. Turn 1 is everything,” he summed up.
The Pirelli paradox
While some fans and pundits have criticized Pirelli for producing tyres that don’t degrade enough, Russell believes that criticism is unfair. “Pirelli gets hammered either way,” he said. “If there’s too much degradation, people complain drivers can’t push. If there’s too little, people say it’s boring.”
Russell suggested an ideal middle ground:
“You want a tyre that you can push flat-out, but it shouldn’t last the whole race. Ideally, it should drop off dramatically after 15 laps — that would force two or three stops.”
But he acknowledged that’s a difficult balance to strike.
“Ironically, Pirelli’s doing a good job — and that’s exactly what’s making the races dull.”
Hope for Qatar and Vegas
Despite the monotony, Russell sees glimmers of opportunity for Mercedes.
“Qatar and Vegas are probably our best chances left,” he said. “But again, it all depends on qualifying. If we nail a lap and start near the front, we can defend. If not, we’re stuck.”
He expects similar dynamics in Mexico:
“It’s going to come down to Q3 and the start — that’ll decide the race.”
At the United States Grand Prix, Max Verstappen took pole and converted it to victory, followed by Lando Norris in second and Charles Leclerc in third. As the paddock heads to Mexico, the debate Russell has reignited — about how modern F1 rewards precision over unpredictability — will no doubt continue.
