Struggling with his Mercedes against Kimi Antonelli, George Russell will find no support from Lando Norris. For the world champion, an F1 driver must know how to adapt, without looking for excuses.
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Lando Norris was categorical when asked about the difficulties George Russell has faced this season with the Mercedes W17.
The Mercedes driver struggles to exploit the full potential of a car with a very particular behavior, whereas his teammate Kimi Antonelli seems perfectly at ease.
For Norris, this difference is not explained by the car, but by the driver’s ability to adapt his driving style.
“I have had to change my driving style every year of my life. The style that worked in 2018 was never enough afterwards.”
Norris: “It’s our job”
The world champion leaves little room for doubt.
“The more experience you have in F1, the more prepared you are. If you are not ready to adapt to a different machine, then you are not at the level.”
“It’s our job. We are paid millions for this. We have to drive any car we’re given, whether it’s good or bad, easy or difficult. You have to know how to do it.”
The Antonelli example
Russell’s season contrasts strongly with that of his young teammate. While the Briton still struggles to find the right balance with the W17, Antonelli dominates the championship with disconcerting ease.
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Why not simply replicate what the Italian is doing?
Russell had answered with a telling image: “It’s like someone asking you to draw the Mona Lisa when you have it right next to you. Do you think you would get it right immediately? Maybe with training.”
In other words, having the data is not enough: you still have to be able to reproduce what your teammate does behind the wheel.
Built confidence
This assurance is not just about self-confidence. Norris believes he has made huge progress in his understanding of the cars and in his ability to extract performance from them, whatever their characteristics.
The Briton attributes his victory in Hungary to long work done with his engineers.
“I have worked on many points since last year. I understand this car much better, which is nevertheless not easy to exploit at the limit consistently.”
“Why does it work? Thanks to work. The work of my engineers and mine to progress as a driver and improve my driving.”
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