‘The same applies to Lewis’: Mercedes call for ‘no mistakes’ from Russell after impressive start

George Russell is fourth in the Drivers' Standings after eight rounds of the 2022 season.

Life at Mercedes has started well for George Russell. He has been on the podium three times, he has out-raced team-mate Sir Lewis Hamilton in each of the last seven, and he is the only driver to finish in the top five at every grand prix this year.

Albeit, one or two of those results can likely be accredited to some good fortune, but he had to be there to take advantage of slip-ups from Ferrari and Red Bull, and he most certainly has been.

Having started the Azerbaijan Grand Prix fifth last weekend, the 24-year-old drove an excellent race to come across the line third ahead of team-mate Sir Lewis Hamilton as the pair overcame almost unbearable bouncing.

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They equalled their best points haul of the year so far with 27, and Russell’s results are converting from Mr Saturday in his Williams days to Mr Consistency now.

This is a trend Mercedes chief strategist James Vowles would love to see continue.

“To define George’s goal for the remainder of the season is making sure that we have no mistakes, he keeps the car finishing at the end of the race,” he said.

“He builds on his knowledge and his learning and as the car performance increases he also has the opportunity to fight for podiums on merit and wins. 

“The same applies to Lewis. We have two of the best, if not in my opinion, the best drivers in the sport.

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“They are hungry to win a race, we just have to deliver them a package that can deliver.”

Vowles added that there is still a long way to go for the Silver Arrows to fix their performance and handling issues to start fighting Ferrari and Red Bull for wins.

“I think what’s clear is that we still have a long journey in front of us to learn everything we need to to be fighting at the front,” added the Briton.

“But perhaps more importantly, you will… see performance variation track-on-track as we go forward.

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“Canada for sure will be very different to Silverstone in terms of how our car performs.”

Mercedes are third in the Constructors’ Championship after eight races, 118 points adrift of leaders Red Bull.