George Russell’s 8th season in F1 hasn’t exactly got off on the strongest foot. Then again, has anyone’s? The road to that final podium has so far been quite…what’s the word? Mixed. With Verstappen waiting until 4th October to win his first race – a major departure from his performance these past few years – and Norris snagging just two wins so far (both in the summer), F1 odds are currently all over the place as fans scramble to figure out who is actually going to end up front of the pack.
One thing does seem to be more consistent than others, however, is Mercedes’ dominance as a constructor. Antonelli currently leads the table with 8 race wins, pushing the team clear to the top of the Constructors’ Championship with 578 to Ferrari’s 444 – great news for Toto’s garage. Unfortunately for Russell, however, this throws into stark contrast his shaky relationship with the podium, having seen just three wins so far in Azerbaijan, Austria, and Australia at the very start of the season.
Following an early retirement in Malaysia due to an issue with the car’s power unit, Russell began the Singapore race at the very back of the grid and faced an uphill battle to claim a so-so 9th place finish. Now, with the Las Vegas GP slowly looming in mid-November, it looks as though Russell is preparing for another tricky race with yet another grid penalty.
So, why not get the penalty out the way sooner and come back with all gaskets firing for the legendary Vegas race?
Well, Russell was originally due to take the next power unit upgrade in Austin, but the team – likely sensing Red Bull gaining momentum on the track – seems to be reluctant to take consecutive grid penalties in consecutive races. Pushing it to Las Vegas means Mercedes gives Russell cleaner weekends in Austin, Mexico, and Brazil, and also saves a track with plenty of long straights (ideal for overtaking) for the penalty start.
For Russell, this solidifies the idea that the title fight is now out of the question for him. While technically (and on some very generous paper) he can fight through the adversity in order to stand on the podium at the end of the season, it’s highly unlikely – and further evidence that this F1 season has been one for the ages in terms of subverting expectations and proving that even when the cars seem to be sapping the energy from the sport, it’s still able to surprise us. Antonelli is currently 106 points ahead of his teammate, and with the Constructors’ Championship not cut-and-dried yet, it’s likely Mercedes will have to prioritise Antonelli in the races to come.
It’s an unfortunate start to one of the most hotly anticipated races in the American circuit, but, provided Russell’s spirits haven’t sunk, it should make for exciting viewing for fans.