Photo: Race Pictures

Russell uses everyday analogy to explain new F1 driving headache

16:20, 15 Feb

byTobia Elia

George Russell elaborated on one of the biggest headaches to emerge during Bahrain testing when driving the new generation of cars.

“You don’t go around a roundabout to the supermarket in first gear if you’re driving at a sensible speed. This is the same thing”

- George Russell

Russell outlines key headache when driving the new 2026 cars

The Briton, speaking with GPblog among other media, pointed out that in certain corners at the Sakhir circuit drivers have found themselves dropping into first gear — such as at Turn 1 — whereas last year it was typically taken in third.

Russell then sought to make the point clearer with an example: “Imagine when you drive to the supermarket in your car and you get to the roundabout and you put it in third gear to go around it, but suddenly the person next to you says, ‘Put it in first gear.’ Everything’s like, revving. You don’t go around a roundabout to the supermarket in first gear if you’re driving at a sensible speed. This is the same thing.

“The car and the engine are kind of designed to go around this corner in third gear, but because of the turbo and the boost and all of this, you’ve got to keep the engine revs very high, which means you have to take first gear. The car just isn’t really designed to do that, but we’re working around it.”

Photo: Race Pictures

Russell warns Red Bull gap is even more ‘frightening’ than Wolff suggested

Speaking to GPblog among other media, the Briton made it clear he believes Red Bull are the outright benchmark right now, holding a commanding advantage over the rest of the field and effectively echoing the stance previously taken by his team principal.

“The truth is Red Bull in Barcelona day one hit the ground running and were well ahead of all of their competitors, so ourselves, Ferrari and the others. Day one here in Bahrain again, they sort of knocked out the park. At the moment, they're very much a team to beat,” he said.

Read the full story here.