Italian journalist Umberto Zapelloni, the previous Sports activities and Motor Editor of the Italian day by day newspaper Corriere della Sera, lately commented on the TV present Race Anatomy about George Russell and Mercedes’ profitable technique within the Belgian Grand Prix, criticizing Ferrari. The British driver took the initiative of ending the Belgian Grand Prix on the 7.004-kilometre Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps with just one pit cease, a technique that on monitor proved to be extraordinarily ingenious and one which was backed by the Mercedes pitwall. Nonetheless, George Russell confronted disqualification from the Belgian Grand Prix after his W15 single-seater was discovered to be considerably below the minimal weight restrict. Put up-race inspections revealed that George Russell’s automobile was 1.5kg lighter than required, costing him the victory and selling his teammate, Lewis Hamilton, to first place, whereas on the identical time giving a podium end to Charles Leclerc for Ferrari.
Andrew Shovlin, Trackside Engineering Director, later defined that a number of elements contributed to the automobile’s weight discrepancy. These included the wear and tear and tear on the tyres, the underfloor ‘plank’, and even George Russell’s personal weight reduction in the course of the race.
Umberto Zapelloni’s feedback
Listed here are the journalist’s statements: “George Russell was expert and brave. He requested the workforce to not change the tires, and so they listened to him, one thing that didn’t occur with Ferrari.” – he identified – “Carlos Sainz had the same instinct, however the workforce didn’t take heed to him. Subsequently, Russell and Mercedes’ braveness allowed them to interpret the race in the very best manner. Ferrari didn’t have the braveness to do the identical with Carlos Sainz, regardless that he was additionally out of the sport. They may have taken a threat with him, simply as Mercedes did with George Russell,” Umberto Zapelloni concluded.
Certainly, the Italian analyst’s evaluation is for probably the most half appropriate: Carlos Sainz adopted the Mercedes driver all through the primary stint, regardless of having the white tires (much less performant than George Russell’s yellow ones).
Briefly, the Maranello workforce’s pitwall may have taken the chance however didn’t. In hindsight, it’s simple to say that it could have been – more than likely – the appropriate selection, however apparently, Ferrari most popular to play it protected, settling for a sixth place end for Carlos Sainz on the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps.
Aug 2, 2024
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