George Russell Launches Scathing Attack on Formula 1: “This Isn’t Racing Anymore!”
In a fiery outburst following the 2025 United States Grand Prix, Mercedes driver George Russell has taken the racing world by storm with his stark criticism of modern Formula 1. His words resonate deeply with fans and fellow competitors alike: the sport has become a shadow of its former self, plagued by predictability and an overreliance on track position instead of genuine racing skill.
Russell’s frustration boiled over after he crossed the finish line in sixth place at Austin’s Circuit of the Americas, a position that he believes could have been drastically different had he started further up the grid. “Right now in F1, it’s a race to Turn 1,” Russell lamented to Sky Sports F1. He highlighted a disturbing trend: “There’s no tyre degradation, and there’s only about three tenths between the quickest and slowest car in the top six. Normally, you need at least half a second to overtake. If I came out of Turn 1 in P3, I’d have been on the podium today. But I came out in P6, and I finished P6.”
The race turned out to be another demonstration of the dominance of track position, with none other than Max Verstappen cruising to victory from pole position—a staggering 13th time this season that a race winner has started at the front of the grid. Russell’s comments underscore an alarming reality: the thrill of competition is fading, and overtaking has become a rare spectacle.
Russell pointedly criticized the current state of tyre performance, asserting that the lack of degradation has effectively neutralized any strategic play in the races. “The thing is, when there’s no tyre degradation, there’s no tyre delta,” he explained. This has resulted in monotonous one-stop races that leave little room for overtaking and excitement. “I don’t even remember the last proper two-stop race,” he lamented.
While Russell stopped short of targeting Pirelli, the tyre supplier, he did acknowledge the tough balancing act they face between durability and the spectacle of racing. “Pirelli get a hard time no matter what,” he noted. “When there’s lots of tyre degradation, people complain it’s not real racing. But when there’s none, everyone says it’s boring.”
Russell envisions an ideal scenario where drivers can push their tyres to the limit for a set number of laps before experiencing a significant drop in performance, prompting strategic pit stops. “Realistically, you want a tyre you can push flat out for 15 laps, then it drops off a cliff, and you have to pit again. That’s the perfect world—but it’s easier said than done,” he remarked.
As the season heads into its final stretch, with races in Mexico City, Brazil, Las Vegas, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi on the horizon, Russell doesn’t see much hope for a change in the status quo. “Qatar and Vegas are our best shots, but again, it’s all about qualifying,” he stated. “If you do a strong lap and start on the front row, you can hold position. If not, it’s the same story—the race is decided by Q3.”
His comments echo a growing concern among drivers: the current regulations have created an environment where races lack unpredictability and excitement. With teams already eyeing the 2026 rule changes, Russell’s impassioned plea highlights the urgent need for a racing format that celebrates creativity and skill, not just clean starts.
As the F1 community grapples with these issues, one thing is clear: if the thrill of racing is to be revived, significant changes must be imminent. The clock is ticking, and the future of Formula 1 hangs in the balance.