Mercedes’ George Russell has revealed how his Italian Grand Prix almost resulted in tears after virtually being despatched airborne by Purple Bull’s Sergio Perez.
Having taken an early pitstop to interchange his broken entrance wing following an incident firstly of the Monza System 1 race, Russell was charging by means of the sector after rejoining in twelfth after his second cease, making straightforward work of the midfield runners.
Russell attacked Perez on lap 38, the Mexican closing the door on the strategy to the Rettifilo and barely leaving a automotive’s width on his proper. The Briton brushed the grass together with his proper wheels however made the transfer stick nonetheless.
He went on to complete seventh after passing Haas’ Kevin Magnussen, albeit 39.7 seconds off race winner Charles Leclerc (Ferrari).
After the race, Russell identified his tussle with Perez had been too shut for consolation given the pace each vehicles had been travelling at and the dearth of margin left by his rival.
When requested by a reporter if he’d had enjoyable with Perez, the Mercedes driver retorted: “I imply, enjoyable? I am unsure you may simply describe that ‘enjoyable’, as a result of I believed I used to be about to go airborne when he was squeezing me at 340km/h.
“However yeah, onerous racing and at the very least glad to make it one place. It was proper on the very, very restrict.”
Nevertheless, Russell doesn’t intend to speak the incident by means of with Perez: “There’s nothing to say. We did not crash on the finish of the day, and I obtained previous him, however half a centimeter extra and it may have been a special story.”
Sergio Perez, Purple Bull Racing RB20, passes George Russell, Mercedes F1 W15
Picture by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
Mercedes staff principal Toto Wolff added that the Purple Bull driver’s defence “in all probability” may very well be thought-about as “a transfer underneath braking”, although it really occurred earlier than each racers really braked for the chicane.
“Was there sufficient of a spot? That hole was tiny however nonetheless, the transfer got here late,” Wolff insisted.
Further reporting by Mark Mann-Bryans
