Russell: Williams testing 'double or triple the amount' compared to rivals

  • Published on 09 Jun 2019 17:04
  • comments 2
  • By: Fergal Walsh

George Russell says that Wiliams is testing "double or triple the amount" opposed to its rivals this year.

Williams has emerged with the slowest car in 2019 that is seeing it compete at the back of the field and unable to get anywhere near scoring points. 

Russell pointed out that while other teams can't waste time with their progression, Williams fighting for the last row allows it to be more experimental.

"You've got to try find the positives in these situations," Russell said. "The fact that we're not fighting for anything, we have to try to find how to make the most of a difficult situation.

"We can do that by testing a lot of things. We're probably testing double or triple the amount compared to every other team because they can't afford to do that.

"They have to maximise every session and lap whereas we can afford to try things at this moment and see what helps us in the long run."

FW42 is balanced, but not fast

Williams introduced new parts including a suspension upgrade for the Canada round, which Russell says has provided a nice feeling within the car - but it hasn't allowed Willams to gain and get closer to the pace needed to compete.

Russell says that Williams anticipated Baku and Montreal as the two races it expected to struggle at most this year due to the combination of tight corners and long straights.

"After winter testing, if we had to choose circuits we'd struggle most at, it would be Baku and here," Russell stated. "You need a good car between downforce and drag, and don't have that at the moment.

"We're losing a lot of time on the straights, and gaining nothing in the corners. But there are some positives from the day.

"We brought some test items to the car and it improved the driveability and balance. The car is feeling relatively good, it's just not quick enough.

"Hopefully now when we start to put some more downforce on the car in a couple of races time, we should be in a good position."

Replies (2)

Login to reply
  • It’s such a shame to see Williams languishing at the back of the field. Also and I’m sad to admit this but Kubica doesn’t seem to have brought anything to the team either. I had such high hopes for his return as well.

    • + 0
    • Jun 9 2019 - 17:13
  • I can't see any way back in 2019, maybe not even 2020

    • + 0
    • Jun 9 2019 - 17:31

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2024

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24
Australia
5 - Apr 7
Japan
19 - Apr 21
China
3 - May 5
United States of America
17 - May 19
Italy
24 - May 26
Monaco
7 - Jun 9
Canada
21 - Jun 23
Spain
28 - Jun 30
Austria
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21
Hungary
26 - Jul 28
Belgium
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1
Italy
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22
Singapore
18 - Oct 20
United States of America
25 - Oct 27
Mexico
1 - Nov 3
Brazil
22 - Nov 24
United States of America
29 - Dec 1
Qatar
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates
-
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
19 - Apr 21
3 - May 5
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19
24 - May 26
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9
21 - Jun 23
28 - Jun 30
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
18 - Oct 20
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
1 - Nov 3
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
-
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Mercedes
  • Points 713
  • Podiums 15
  • Grand Prix 128
  • Country GB
  • Date of b. Feb 15 1998 (26)
  • Place of b. King's Lynn, GB
  • Weight 70 kg
  • Length 1.85 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar