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Charles Leclerc responded to George Russell defending the new F1 regulations, suggesting that Mercedes doing well is a big reason.
Mercedes showed exactly why they were considered favourites coming into the season with a strong one-two finish at the Australian Grand Prix.
George Russell had a phenomenal race, cruising to a win, while Kimi Antonelli followed right behind him. Outside of some brief competition from Charles Leclerc early in the race, Russell had quite an easy win.
Here’s your top three from the Australian Grand Prix! Were you surprised by the podium finishers?
After the race, Leclerc was critical of the new F1 regulations, discussing how they changed the landscape of the sport going forward.
Upon hearing that Russell called for patience over the new regulations, Leclerc took his chance to remind everyone why the current points leader is so defensive.
READ MORE: Five things we learned from the Australian Grand Prix as Mercedes dominate and Oscar Piastri crashes
Charles Leclerc suggests George Russell enjoying success under new regulations is behind vigorous defence
Charles Leclerc was asked about George Russell’s comments in defence of the new F1 regulations after the Australian Grand Prix.
Leclerc noted that Russell benefiting from the new regulations is a big reason why he is calling for patience, and if he were in his position, he would do the same.
“I think you always tend to speak little when you have such an advantage, so I think it goes both ways. If I had the car they had yesterday, I probably wouldn’t criticise so much.”
“If you’re in the back of the grid, you want to criticise to make change happen and to have a better car. It’s normal. We’ve seen it in Formula 1. This will always be the case.”
“However, it is true that to manage those cars it takes a big step forward in understanding those systems, and it’s very, very difficult. That is a fact. For George, for whoever is on the grid, and that may sit particularly difficult.”
Mercedes claim a one-two finish to start F1’s new era! Which driver stands out from the top 10 of the Australian Grand Prix?
Let us know in the comments below!
READ MORE: Marc Priestley suggests Ferrari ‘got away with’ missed pit stop opportunity during Australian GP
Ferrari must gauge competitiveness with Mercedes in Chinese Grand Prix
Despite Mercedes’ seemingly overwhelming advantage over the rest of the field, Ferrari pushed them harder than any other team on the grid.
In fact, after the race, Leclerc admitted Mercedes weren’t as fast as he had initially expected. Perhaps the first race will give Ferrari the confidence they need to compete with Mercedes.
Ferrari’s pit strategy error cost them a chance at winning the race at Albert Park. As they get ready to go again in Shanghai, Ferrari must ensure their drivers have everything possible to compete with Mercedes.
Doing so will allow them to get a good read on just how far ahead, if at all, Mercedes are compared to them, thus giving them the information they need to make changes.
With a reinvigorated Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari have possibly their best chance at competing for titles in many years.
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