Peter Windsor unimpressed by George Russell’s ‘dangerous’ driving at Azerbaijan Grand Prix

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Mercedes driver George Russell unexpectedly scored a podium in Sunday’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Russell was running fifth at the start of the penultimate lap but profited from the collision between Carlos Sainz and Sergio Perez.

Russell had qualified P5, splitting the two Red Bulls, but lost a position to Max Verstappen at the start. The Englishman showed strong pace in the second stint, however, and re-passed the Red Bull on lap 34.

That meant he was in a position to capitalise when Sainz and Perez dramatically came together. It was his third podium finish of the season and his first since his victory in Austria in June.

Similarly, Russell was the biggest winner in Spielberg after Verstappen and Lando Norris tangled in the battle for the lead. That handed him top spot, though he did have to fend off Oscar Piastri in the closing laps.

Russell will feel he maximised the Mercedes package on what had been a difficult weekend for the Silver Arrows in Azerbaijan. They were F1’s form team heading into the summer break but have lost their momentum.

23 points separate their two drivers in the championship, with Lewis Hamilton ahead. Russell closed the gap considerably in Baku as his teammate could only manage ninth following a pit-lane start.

Peter Windsor says it wasn’t ‘clever’ for George Russell to ignore yellow flags at Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Russell was subject to an investigation after Saturday’s qualifying session. He was just behind Sainz when the Ferrari driver ran deep at turn two.

Sainz triggered yellow flags as he spun his Ferrari around and back in the right direction. This forced the drivers in that section of that circuit to slow down.

Russell failed to do so, but escaped a penalty due to mitigating circumstances. The officials felt he was already committed to the corner when the caution appeared.

Speaking on the Cameron F1 YouTube channel, though, Peter Windsor suggested Russell’s driving was still ‘dangerous’. Compatriot Lando Norris suffered a Q1 exit after slowing for yellows caused by Alpine’s Esteban Ocon.

Windsor said: “It’s not clever for George to say, oh well I’m going to go for it anyway. What’s clever about that? It’s just dangerous actually, to be honest. George doesn’t need to prove his virility or his bravery. We see that in the race car anyway.”

George Russell demands talks over ‘infuriating’ Formula 1 issue

Russell went on to out-qualify Hamilton for the 13th time in 17 races. He ended up two spots ahead (P5 vs P7) before the seven-time world champion took an engine penalty.

With just seven rounds remaining, Russell has won the qualifying battle with Hamilton for the first time. They finished level on 11 apiece last year, and Hamilton won 13-9 in 2022.

According to F1 legend Jacques Villeneuve, Russell has given Hamilton ‘baggage’ to bring to Ferrari. It’s also a major confidence boost ahead of the arrival of teenage sensation Kimi Antonelli in 2025.

But Russell wasn’t entirely happy after the race. He says every F1 driver is dealing with ‘infuriating’ tyre issues, specifically the lack of consistency between compounds, and he wants talks to address the problem.