Russell encouraged by 'much better' Williams car

  • Published on 19 Feb 2020 15:10
  • comments 1
  • By: Fergal Walsh

George Russell has spoken in praise of his new Williams car that made its debut at pre-season testing on Wednesday morning.

The Briton set 73 laps during the four-hour session with a fastest lap time of 1:18.168, which put him sixth on the timesheets. 

Last year, Williams endured a difficult season in which it struggled against the pace of its rivals, finding itself stuck at the back of the field for the entirety of the season.

The team has been working to fix the issues it endured in 2019, with Russell affirming that he instantly recognises the stronger handling of the car.

"I'd say definitely the general handling of the car is much better," Russell said. "From lap one today, I had confidence to push the car to the limit, whereas last year, it wasn't a nice feeling in the early laps.

"It was quite scary to drive actually last year in the opening laps, trying to build that confidence."

However, the 22-year-old is remaining cautious, as there is still a lot to go through before the true pace of the car is known. 

"Already that's better, but not always a nice car to drive is a fast car. So it's a lap time-based sport and it doesn't matter how you get around the lap. As long as it's fast, that's what counts.

"It's been improved in that area, now we just need to see if we have managed to put more downforce onto the car to compete with the guys around me."

12 months ago, Williams turned up to pre-season testing late and only hit the track on the third day of running.

Russell says 2019 was a "character-building year" for the Grove-based squad and believes that it can be more competitive during the upcoming season. 

"Everybody was a bit lost last year [at testing] because they didn't know what to do as there was no car here.

"We're definitely excited for the new season. It was a character-building year last year. I'm confident we can go racing this year and have a bit more fun than we did last year. That's what we're all looking for."

Replies (1)

Login to reply
  • Good. I have to admit I'm a bit shocked, wasn't expecting anything respectable from Williams

    • + 0
    • Feb 19 2020 - 21:18

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 08:52

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 08:52

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 2024
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9 2024
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24 2024
Australia
5 - Apr 7 2024
Japan
19 - Apr 21 2024
China
3 - May 5 2024
United States of America
17 - May 19 2024
Italy
24 - May 26 2024
Monaco
7 - Jun 9 2024
Canada
21 - Jun 23 2024
Spain
28 - Jun 30 2024
Austria
5 - Jul 7 2024
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21 2024
Hungary
26 - Jul 28 2024
Belgium
23 - Aug 25 2024
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1 2024
Italy
13 - Sep 15 2024
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22 2024
Singapore
18 - Oct 20 2024
United States of America
25 - Oct 27 2024
Mexico
1 - Nov 3 2024
Brazil
22 - Nov 24 2024
United States of America
29 - Dec 1 2024
Qatar
6 - Dec 8 2024
United Arab Emirates
-
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2 2024
7 - Mar 9 2024
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24 2024
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7 2024
19 - Apr 21 2024
3 - May 5 2024
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19 2024
24 - May 26 2024
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9 2024
21 - Jun 23 2024
28 - Jun 30 2024
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7 2024
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21 2024
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28 2024
23 - Aug 25 2024
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1 2024
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15 2024
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22 2024
18 - Oct 20 2024
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27 2024
1 - Nov 3 2024
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24 2024
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1 2024
6 - Dec 8 2024
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 (27)
  • Place of b. King's Lynn, GB
  • Weight 70 kg
  • Length 1.85 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar