F1 | Mercedes, Russell: “Adapting to the single-seater makes a great driver”

Among the new features that will characterize the new season, as regards the latest drivers' market, is George Russell's arrival at Mercedes. The Englishman, after a three-year apprenticeship at Williams, has been called by Stella to make the big leap where he will share the garage with seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton.

The new Mercedes standard bearer specified how important it is to be able to find the right balance with the mechanical vehicle, because without that necessary feeling it is difficult to obtain results despite the competitiveness of the car.

"Driver and car are two big machines. They must work together as one, taking advantage of the machine's capabilities – said Russell, quoted by GPFans – Like I said, I think adaptability is what makes a great driver, knowing what the car is capable of and what the car isn't capable of. Just because someone in another machine is able to do it, doesn't mean you are able to do it in your machine because that may not be possible, every machine is designed a different way".

Russell then added: “I think it's important not to get too lost and get caught up in what other people are doing, and the set of philosophies that go down or whether they're running high downforce in one race and low downforce in another race and that doesn't work for you. You need to understand what you can get in your car and ultimately optimize it, regardless of what others do".