Formula One F1 – Las Vegas Grand Prix – Las Vegas Strip Circuit, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S – November 18, 2023 Mercedes’ George Russell talks to the media after qualifying REUTERS/Finn Blake/ File Photo
George Russell accepted the blame for a costly Las Vegas Grand Prix collision on Nov 18 that left Mercedes in danger of losing second place overall to Ferrari in the Formula One constructors’ championship.
Russell was handed a five-second penalty for a lap 25 clash with Red Bull’s triple world champion and eventual winner Max Verstappen that demoted the Briton from fourth at the finish to eighth.
Ferrari ended up scoring 16 points more than Mercedes and closed the gap to four with just one race remaining in Abu Dhabi next weekend.
“Just another massively missed opportunity this weekend,” Russell told Sky Sports television.
“The incident with Max was totally my fault. I didn’t see him, he was totally in my blind spot going around turn 11. I wasn’t really expecting to be overtaken there because you’ve got the big long straight with DRS (Drag Reduction System) afterwards.
“We were on course for an easy podium, it was pretty straightforward. This season is sort of one thing after another.”
Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff said it was game over once Russell incurred the penalty but remained optimistic for the finale.
“I think we hopefully can recover and score solid podiums,” he said of Abu Dhabi.
Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur was also hopeful of a strong finish to the season after Charles Leclerc started on pole position and finished second, with Carlos Sainz sixth.
“We must keep the momentum going into Abu Dhabi, both drivers are doing a fantastic job and I believe we can catch Mercedes,” he said.
“We won in Singapore when Red Bull was off the pace but this time we were fighting them right up to the final corner.”
Meanwhile, McLaren’s Lando Norris assured fans he would be fine for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix after crashing and being taken to hospital in Las Vegas.
The Briton hit the wall hard at high speed on lap 3, triggering a safety car interlude.
“I just bottomed out on the restart (after a virtual safety car period), lost the rear and hit the wall,” said the 24-year-old.
“Big thanks go to the medical staff for checking me over, and to the team for the work they’ll now put in on the car. One week to reset and go again for the season finale in Abu Dhabi.”
Norris posted photos on Instagram of him at the hospital, with the words “Big impact. But feeling okay! Thanks for all the messages. See you next weekend.”
Australian rookie teammate Oscar Piastri took two precious points for the team with 10th place and the fastest lap.
Piastri had started 18th.
“Two points isn’t many compared to those we have scored in recent weeks but they’re important in our battle for fourth,” said team principal Andrea Stella.
“We now regroup, rest when we can, and prepare to go again in the season finale. We’re looking forward to a much smoother weekend in Abu Dhabi on a circuit that should be more favourable to our car.”