George Russell Defiant Ahead of Stewards’ Verdict
British driver George Russell is standing firm in the face of a stewards’ investigation following the Austrian Grand Prix qualifying session. Despite being summoned for an unsafe release in the pit lane, Russell remains confident that he will not face any penalties.
Russell, who qualified fifth, was called to the stewards for cutting into the line ahead of Ferrari drivers Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton during Q3. The Mercedes driver defended his actions, citing a significant blind spot in his visibility as he merged onto the fast lane.
In a bold statement to the media, including RacingNews365, Russell expressed his belief that the incident would not result in any sporting sanctions. He acknowledged the need to appear before the stewards but remained unwavering in his confidence that no issues would arise from the investigation.
Reflecting on his qualifying performance, Russell noted the challenges faced by Mercedes in Austria compared to their dominant display in Canada. Despite the obstacles, he deemed his fifth-place finish as the best possible outcome given the circumstances.
Russell attributed the team’s struggles in Austria to a combination of factors, including the track conditions and the nature of the circuit, which did not play to Mercedes’ strengths. He acknowledged the need for improvement but accepted the tough reality of the situation.
As Russell awaits the stewards’ final decision, the young driver remains resolute in his stance, ready to face whatever outcome may arise from the investigation.