Carlos Sainz Deployed as Defense to Justify George Russell’s Malicious Move Against Lewis Hamilton by Mercedes

Flashback to 2016, not yet. The Spanish Grand Prix witnessed a thrilling collision between George Russell and Lewis Hamilton during Q2, sending shockwaves through the Mercedes team. However, after a closer analysis, Mercedes has uncovered an intriguing twist that may justify Russell’s actions, highlighting the defensive move executed by Carlos Sainz.

In the quest for an advantageous lap time, drivers sought to latch onto the slipstream of a preceding car, boosting their speed and potentially shaving off valuable seconds. Russell, eager to secure a spot in Q3, cunningly positioned himself behind Sainz, hoping to exploit the Ferrari driver’s slipstream. Sainz drove past Hamilton at full speed, prompting the seven-time world champion to react swiftly by attaching himself to the tail of the Ferrari. Sainz’s tactical maneuver unintentionally led to a brief obstruction in front of Russell, who was also attempting to benefit from the slipstream.

Mercedes’ Operations Team Leader, Andrew Shovlin, shed light on the incident, as covered by Motorsport.com. “The problem was that both George and Lewis were trying to use Sainz to slipstream. Lewis locked onto him around turn 10. Then, when he was about to start his lap, suddenly George was in front of him, who was also waiting because he knew Sainz was coming. But George didn’t know Lewis was right behind.”

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Shovlin emphasized that Russell’s move was a response to Sainz’s defensive driving, which resulted in the collision. Although the incident posed a danger to both drivers, no penalties were imposed by the race stewards.

Mercedes anticipates obstacles at the Canadian GP

Following their triumphant double podium finish in Spain, Mercedes recognizes the contrasting demands of the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal. This low-down force track stands in stark contrast to the high-down force Barcelona circuit, where the team’s recent upgrade package showcased remarkable performance.

Andrew Shovlin, as reported by Autosport, anticipates a more arduous weekend for the Silver Arrows in Canada. He acknowledges the circuit’s low-speed corners and lengthy straights, which necessitate a unique approach and present a potential threat to their competitive standing. Shovlin also expects fierce competition from formidable teams like Aston Martin, Ferrari, and Alpine, particularly considering Alpine’s recent podium achievement in Monaco.

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It prompts us to contemplate the delicate dance between risk and reward and the eternal question: What does it truly take to triumph at the pinnacle of motorsport?