Could Russell have beaten Verstappen? 'He was cautious in Australia'

George Russell saw Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri and Max Verstappen quickly disappear at the Australian Grand Prix. The difference in speed was significant, but according to Mercedes' deputy technical director, Simone Resta, there was a good reason.

In Mercedes' debrief for the Australian Grand Prix, Resta was asked if Russell was more cautious in his first stint. To this, the Italian replied, "Yeah, that is true. George commented about that, and we've seen very skilled drivers going into the wall and running into problems. They were very difficult conditions."

Resta continued, "Australia is a very demanding track and in those conditions it's even more difficult. I think George made the right call to try to be there, fight for a good position without taking any unnecessary risk."

Russell was therefore not initially fighting for podium positions. For a long time, the Briton simply made sure he did not crash but maintained his fourth position, Resta also confirmed. In the end, the Mercedes driver ended up on the podium after all. He moved up one place after Piastri got stuck in the grass outside of Turn 13, after rain hit the track in the dying phases of the race.