Russell eager to making most of greater self-confidence

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Williams Racing driver George Russell believes he is heading into the new Formula 1 season, which flags off in Bahrain this weekend, with greater self-confidence.

The Briton attributes this to his fantastic performance at last year’s F1 Rolex Sakhir Grand Prix at Bahrain International Circuit (BIC), where he substituted for Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes and almost pulled off a stunning victory as well as nearly taking pole position for the 87-lap race.

Russell qualified second for the event and ultimately finished ninth, largely due to a pair of botched pit stops that cost him what could have been either his first career victory or first F1 podium.

“What was very interesting for me was I qualified second, which was my best qualifying ever – I think previously it was 12th – and I was disappointed not to be on pole,” Russell was quoted as saying in leading motor racing website motorsport. com. He added that learned a lot from the experience, particularly about his capabilities. “Just because you’re suddenly at the front of a grid, it doesn’t change that goal, that satisfaction you get by getting the absolute most out of your equipment,” he said.

“Equally coming away from that event, I had a few tough days.

But equally, I put it behind me, I learned from it. I was very grateful to Mercedes and Williams for giving me the chance, and ultimately I had to see that race as a victory in itself, even if I didn’t get the trophy at the end of the day. “[I am] then coming into the season with more confidence and belief in myself, and that’s great for me, great for the team and great for everyone. So yeah, it was a good opportunity.”

Russell will have his first shot at glory this season at this weekend’s F1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix, the first round of the 2021 FIA F1 World Championship