George Russell was lucky to avoid contact with a Red Bull driver as the cars headed out on track in Singapore.
George Russell and Sergio Perez nearly came together in FP1 (Image: F1 TV)
George Russell was furious during FP1 on Friday ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix after he narrowly avoided a collision with Red Bull driver Sergio Perez.
Russell was heading into turn three on a hot lap when he came across Checo, who was going slowly on the racing line. The Mexican driver moved to the inside to allow Russell through, but the Mercedes driver wasn’t happy that his path was compromised.
Speaking to his crew over the team radio, Russell exclaimed: “He’s a ****” as he manoeuvered the W14 around the outside of Perez’s Red Bull car.
The 25-year-old is feeling the pressure as Mercedes look to secure their second-place position in the Constructors’ Championship standings. The Silver Arrows are 45 points clear of their nearest rivals Ferrari in the battle for P2.
Click here to join our WhatsApp community to be the first to receive breaking and exclusive F1 news.
Don’t miss… Hamilton and Russell make same demand to Mercedes in bid to catch Verstappen [LATEST]
Speaking about his role in that fight, Russell said: “We’re in a pretty comfortable position in P2, but we can’t let that slip. The way that I help the team achieve this is if I’m just putting in the consistent and solid results.”
Despite Russell’s frustrations, Perez did little wrong as he stayed off the racing line and didn’t impede the British driver. Nevertheless, this will be an unwelcome distraction for the Mexican in what has been a turbulent weekend.
The 33-year-old has been at the centre of a media storm following comments made by Red Bull’s chief advisor, Helmut Marko, who claimed that his nationality has played a role in his performances in 2023.
More F1…
Michael Schumacher’s brother ‘very different’ as treatment takes toll on family [SCHUMACHER]
Mercedes could have Lewis Hamilton replacement lured away as Alpine ‘open talks’ [NEWS]
Max Verstappen confirms Singapore Grand Prix worries as Red Bull fears exposed [SINGAPORE GP]
SUBSCRIBE Invalid email
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info
Sergio Perez has been at the centre of the drama this week (Image: Getty)
The Guadalajara-born driver responded to the criticism of Marko in Singapore, stating: “First of all, I know Helmut, I got an apology from him, a direct apology which to me was the most important one.
“I know him and I know that he doesn’t mean it that way as well. That to me is what matters. When you have a personal relationship with someone I think it’s a feeling that you’ve got to have and to me, that’s the important one.
“I think the most important [thing] is that we focus on this weekend and on the performance on track and that obviously, a personal apology to me is more important than anything else.”
