© Stephen Reuss for Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix ltd.
George Russell attended the 2023 Hungarian Grand Prix Thursday Drivers’ Press Conference. Here is the full transcript!
Q: George, we’re back at the scene of your first ever pole position in Formula 1. That happened 12 months ago. What chances of a repeat this weekend?
George RUSSELL: Yeah, I’ll be pushing for it, for sure. I’m looking forward to seeing what the weekend is going to hold. It’s been an interesting few races, with our performance in Austria, then really quite strong in Silverstone. We’re still battling forward, still really focused to keep on progressing. We’re in a good position, but we need to try and stay ahead of our competitors.
Q: Have you been surprised by the fluctuations in form that you’ve been going through?
GR:I think that’s the same for all the teams up and down the grid. You see Aston, at the start of the year, were really, really strong. They’ve maybe taken a small step backwards. Same with Ferrari at certain races. And I’m sure even Red Bull to a small degree. At some races, they were 30 seconds ahead, last week, they were three seconds ahead, albeit with the safety car, but they weren’t running away with things. So, we are closing that gap. It seems like the whole field is slightly more compact, which makes it exciting. And the small details make a big difference. As I said, we’re focused, we’ve got P2 in the Constructors’ Championship in our sights, and what we’re aiming for, but we’re still pushing for more, and try and get some race wins along the way.
QUESTIONS FROM THE FLOOR
Q: (Zac – Sky F1 Juniors) This weekend at the Hungarian Grand Prix, we’re hosting our first ever F1 Junior Show and kids are going to be taking over the broadcast. What do you think about this in the potential future, that kids will be taking over the broadcast?
GR: I think it’s very exciting and Crofty’s got something to be worried about. So no, I think is great, what were you guys doing, Formula 1 bringing the kid show to the sport, and I know with my niece and nephew who follow the sport a lot, for them to have the chance to see it in a slightly younger format, it’s going to be exciting. So, looking forward to seeing what you guys are up to.
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Q: (Ruby – Sky F1 Juniors) This question is for George and Alonso. Max is always on the podium. Are you jealous about his car? And did you ever think about ganging up on Max?
GR: Should we? Should we gang up on him somehow?
Fernando ALONSO: We are jealous. For sure.
GR: Yep, we are jealous. Yeah, for sure. For sure we were jealous. But we all get our opportunity to stand on that podium. He’s getting the opportunity a few more times than we are, but things have a way of working themselves out. So, I’m sure, hopefully the tables will turn in the near future.
FA: Yeah. Don’t want to add anything.
Q: (Géza Suránya – Heves Megyei Hírlap) Question to George. You’re biography was released earlier this month. What were your first thoughts when you heard about it? Have read it or have you seen it?
GR: I’m not aware of this at all! That’s a triple no. Are you aware of this? I have no idea. I’m intrigued now and I will check it out. Is it on Amazon? All right. I’ll Google it.
Q: (Dániel Majer – Rally Café) Question to all the drivers – except Fernando. Fernando was speaking about his first race win here in Hungary, 20 years ago. You were all in your mid-teens except Logan, who was only 12. Were you watching Formula 1 back then? And do you remember anything about that particular race or in general about the time Fernando started to make his name in Formula 1?
GR: I was still sucking on dummies, I think. [To Logan] 2003. Were you alive?
Logan SARGEANT: 2003? I was alive. I wouldn’t have watched that.
GR: OK, Zhou?
Zhou GUANYU: I was alive.
GR: I’ve seen the replays. I’ve seen the infamous wave around the last corner. Was that this one?
FA: yep.
Q: Hülk, it was only seven years before you made your Formula 1 debut. You must remember that?
Nico HULKENBERG: Yeah. I was 16, so I must have seen it but the memories are a bit blurry. Yeah, I don’t know.
Q: (Bence Boa – Racingline.hu) Question to all the drivers. You may have heard that Nicholas Latifi will start learning at university this year. If you won’t be able to race from tomorrow on, what would you do?
ZG: I guess the answer is going to be fashion designer. I always think that maybe in the future to have our own brand. Doesn’t matter how popular is it. Just something that I can do on time off or not racing. Obviously, it’s great to see what Nicholas is doing, taking away a little bit from the racing, doing what he loves, because I think he can have all the opportunity to do other stuff besides motorsport.
Q: Not tempted by University?
ZG: Unfortunately, I wasn’t a big fan of… obviously education is important, but I wasn’t a favourite of that. Maybe other people will go back that.
Q: Fernando, what would you do?
FA: No idea. Work as the assistant of Zhou, probably. Journalist!
Q: Do you think you’d be good? Can you write?
FA: I guess so. Yeah. Are you good?
Q: No, I won’t be the judge of that. No, don’t say! Logan?
LS: Honestly, I’ve never thought of it. I don’t really want to think about it! So I’m not sure.
NH: Probably, accountant, lawyers, something steady solid income and that has a long future.
Q: What would you do George?
GR: Oh, what Fernando said: journalist in Formula 1. Stay with you guys. No idea, no idea.
Q: Fernando just said: ‘seems the easiest’. David’s right: ‘couldn’t handle the hours’.
Q: (Jake Boxall-Legge – Autosport) Question for Logan and George please. Alex Albon has been doing some pretty tremendous bits in the Williams this season. So Logan, first of all, in your rookie season, how much have you been able to learn from him and absorb and George how gratifying is it to see your old mate doing so well in the Williams and picking up from where you left off at the team? Thank you.
Q: What’s the biggest thing you’ve learned from Alex?
GR: Yeah, really happy to see… Alex is a very talented driver and just happy to see in the right environment what he’s capable of doing. And equally for Williams, they’re a team who work really hard. They had a few years of difficulties and now also with James there, I think they’re definitely on the right tracks to try and push themselves to the front of the midfield. So I couldn’t be happier for James, Alex and Williams as a whole.
Source: FIA.com
