George Russell has defended his attempt to overtake Sergio Perez at the French GP, where the two collided and Perez cut the corner. Russell insists that the 'corner was mine' according to the rule and maintains his opinion that the Mexican should have given the position back.
George Russell has defended his attempt to overtake Sergio Perez at the French GP, where the two collided and Perez cut the corner. Russell insists that the 'corner was mine' according to the rule and maintains his opinion that the Mexican should have given the position back.
Russell defends overtaking attempt on Perez
Russell was outraged that Perez was allowed to keep his position after cutting the corner and complained on the radio. The Briton was so upset about the incident that team boss Toto Wolff felt compelled to intervene to calm his driver down.
Even after the race, which he still managed to finish on the podium, Russell expressed his frustration with the timing. "I was very disappointed that I couldn't keep that position," Russell said. "I was on the inside I had my front wheels in front of his rear wheels. And to the letter of the law, in that situation the turn was mine."
"He pressed me against the zebra from the inside. Then he went off the track and maintained his position," Russell added. The incident was investigated by the stewards, who decided to take no action. It was reported to Mercedes that Russell was not at the front and therefore had no right to Perez's position.
What did the race director's notes say before the French GP?
16.3 Turns 8 and 9
Any driver going forward through turn 8 must return to the track, passing through the four arrays of blocks in the escape area, to the left of the first, to the right of the second, to the left of the third, and to the right of the fourth.