George Russell Provides a Grim Prediction on the Closer Racing in the 2022 Season

The new regulations brought in for the 2022 season are majorly targeted to improve aerodynamics and reduce the ‘dirty air’ produced by cars. Hence, it is safe to say that the new regulations would provide much better wheel-to-wheel combats. Many drivers in the preseason testing tested this theory out in Barcelona. Moreover, Mercedes driver George Russell gave his opinions on closer racing with the 2022 cars.

Russell mentioned that following another car in these new regulations has improved. But, on the other hand, the slipstream effect has reduced significantly.

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We can follow closer but from what we have seen: George Russell

As reported by Planetf1, it is indeed positive news to hear that following another car has improved significantly. But the actual issue of getting closer racing could only be answered in the first race of the season in Bahrain.

“I think following has been improved but the slipstream effect has been reduced quite substantially, so I don’t really know. You obviously need that delta in the straights to overtake because you can only overtake at the end of a straight and into a corner,” said the new Mercedes driver.

“We can follow closer, but from what we have seen, the slipstream effect is definitely less effective. We will have to wait and see. I got right up behind Lando. I was a car’s length or two behind him and didn’t catch the straight, so that was slightly concerning. Let’s see,” George added.

It is slightly concerning to hear that slipstream might no longer be one of the most crucial aspects for overtaking. Although it is hard to assume much, as the conditions of these pre-season tests runs are much different from what the drivers would experience come this year’s first Sunday GP. But let’s hope that the doubts raised by Russell can be rectified before the start of the first race.

Hopefully, we get to see closer racing as promised by the new regulations in the 2022 season. The 2022 season begins at the Bahrain Grand Prix from 18th to 20th March.

Who, as fans, are you rooting for? And which team currently seems to have the edge over the competition? Let us know in the comments below.

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