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George Russell ‘shocked’ by FIA decision during Sao Paulo Grand Prix

Posted on by Pranco
George Russell ‘shocked’ by FIA decision during Sao Paulo Grand Prix

George Russell was ‘shocked’ by FIA Race Control’s decision to continue racing as rain intensified at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.

The race was halted after 30 laps when a rainstorm hit the track and increased the amount of rain, prompting some drivers to pit for a new set of intermediate tires, including Russel.

The Mercedes The driver made a pit stop while leading the race alongside second-placed Lando Norris, but it proved to be the wrong decision when the Safety Car was deployed due to poor visibility.

This was upgraded to a red flag when Franco Colapinto crashed on the straight, allowing anyone not in the pits to get a free pit stop while in the pits.

Russell wondered why FIA Race Control decided to take so long to neutralize the race when it was clear the drivers were struggling in the increasingly difficult conditions at the Interlagos circuit. Air sports.

George Russell questions the decision of FIA Race Control in the Sao Paulo Grand Prix

Many teams expected another rain shower to hit the track after the start of the race, but some chose to stay outside because the shower would only be short-lived.

Verstappen and both Alpine drivers stayed out and inherited the podium places, with the Red Bull driver moving up from 17th on the grid.

Russell was furious at Mercedes’ decision to pit and questioned why it took so long for Race Control to react when conditions deteriorated.

“Normally if it dries out it’s the team’s decision, and if it gets wetter it’s the driver’s decision. I was confident it would be a Safety Car or a red flag because it was just like driving a boat,” said Russell.

“I was shocked. To be honest, I could barely keep my foot on the accelerator on the straight where the car was hydroplaning.”

Lando Norris from Great Britain driving the (4) McLaren MCL38 Mercedes returns to the track, ahead of George Russell from Great Britain behind the wheel of the (63) Me...
Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images

Karun Chandhok makes Ayrton Senna comparison after Max Verstappen ‘masterclass’ in Sao Paulo

Verstappen was unstoppable as he inherited the lead from Russell and Norris, overtook Esteban Ocon on the second restart and built a 19-second lead at the flag.

Former F1 driver Karun Chandhok compared his drive to that of Ayrton Senna at Donington in 1993when the Brazilian lapped the entire field except for Damon Hill, finishing over a minute ahead of the Brit.

READ MORE: Max Verstappen reveals ’emotions’ after ‘rollercoaster’ victory in the Sao Paulo GP

Similar to Senna’s opening lap in that race, Verstappen overtook six cars, including three at the second corner after taking the outside line.

The victory puts him 62 points ahead of title rival Norris, who dropped from pole to P6 at the finish after his pit stop blunder and an error during one of the restarts.

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