© Jiri Krenek for Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Ltd.
As director of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association, George Russell says “we’ve all come to the agreement that what happened in Abu Dhabi was incorrect”.
George Russell was the first driver to condemn the controversial decisions that were made at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, immediately after the race had finished.
Now, at Mercedes’ 2022 car launch, Russell once again openly said what happened in Abu Dhabi was not right.
“[Lewis Hamilton] had that race completely under control,” the Briton said.
“He only had to bring it home and he’d have been an eight-time champion and he had that taken away from him.”
Russell, who is also the director of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association, said everyone is in agreement that the decisions made in Abu Dhabi were not right.
“Mistakes happen when the heat of the moment is on and people’s emotions are high. Fingers crossed, with the changes the FIA have made, that won’t happen again.
“In sport, there is always a huge amount of pressure on every individual, whether it be the athlete, the coach, the manager, the engineers, the referee or the race director.
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“We’ve all come to the agreement that what happened in Abu Dhabi was incorrect and the changes have been made because of the outcome of Abu Dhabi.”
Russell also gave his comments on the changes the FIA is making in response to the Abu Dhabi situation.
“The FIA were incredibly proactive straight after Abu Dhabi to find better solutions.
“I think the VAR solution is great and it makes total sense to have further assistance, people analysing live and more input to get a quicker view and decision to be made.
“Times progress, things move on, the way drivers are exploiting the rule book is understandable and the FIA need to do more to compensate that because every team and driver will always look for ways to get the upper hand.
“It will take some time to refine but it is definitely a step in the right direction. It is always going to need more and the more things we can do virtually can only be beneficial,” the Briton concluded.
