In Austin the Mercedes driver needed to verify his tempo to avoid wasting gasoline, and in Mexico he needed to do the identical to manage spiralling brake temperatures, having spent many laps looking for a well past Carlos Sainz.
On each events when he was in a position to push more durable as soon as once more his tyres wouldn’t reply.
In Mexico he completed sixth, having misplaced out to Lando Norris within the closing laps, whereas simply managing to maintain Daniel Ricciardo at bay.
“It was only a race dictated by tyres as soon as once more,” he stated when requested by Autosport about his afternoon. “The automobile felt actually sturdy, I used to be proper behind Carlos, simply could not fairly make the overtake.
“However we needed to again off as a result of my brakes had been overheating, as they had been for a lot of drivers. As quickly as I backed off, I completely misplaced all of the temperature in my tyres, and will by no means recuperate it.
“It was like driving on ice for the final 15 laps, and a reasonably depressing feeling and really fortunate to complete P6.”
Russell stated the Positive was he understood why he had misplaced efficiency.
“It is by no means enjoyable while you’re the defending driver on the backfoot,” he famous. “Once more simply actually struggled all through that race with the tyres, and it was fairly clear as quickly as I backed off, I misplaced all of the grip, and I could not recuperate it.
Picture by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images
Carlos Sainz, Ferrari SF-23 George Russell, Mercedes F1 W14
“I am not too involved, as a result of I do know the rationale for it. But it surely’s been two race weekends in a row for 2 totally different causes, final week was the gasoline, and I misplaced my tyres as a result of I backed off to handle the gasoline, this weekend it was the brakes. That is at the least some readability.”
Russell additionally stated that the up to date package deal Mercedes launched on the US GP labored nicely in Mexico.
“We had been sturdy right here final yr, we certified on the entrance row,” he stated. “Most likely ought to have had two vehicles on the rostrum final yr. So it is positively performing nicely.
“However this weekend has been a weekend about tyres, because it has been for everybody. Yesterday was a complete shock for a lot of groups for good or for dangerous. I am hoping Brazil will not be that delicate.”
Relating to the return to the scene of his first F1 win he stated: “On paper the type of the automobile must be good there, because it was this weekend.
“I feel the climate’s a little bit of a down, however we’re positively excited to go to Brazil. Clearly tight with Ferrari within the constructors’ championship, however assured we are able to carry it dwelling.“