Brundle says Russell must confront Mercedes over VSC pit-stop decision at Italian GP
Former driver Martin Brundle urged George Russell to seek explanations from Mercedes after a virtual safety car period that may have cost him a win at Monza, where teammate Kimi Antonelli claimed victory.
Former Formula 1 driver and Sky Sports analyst Martin Brundle said George Russell should question Mercedes about the team’s strategy during the virtual safety car (VSC) at the Italian Grand Prix, which he believes may have prevented Russell from winning.
Russell stayed out on hard tyres while teammate Kimi Antonelli pitted for fresh medium compounds, allowing the 20-year-old to climb back through the field and win his home race. Brundle noted that Russell led the race before the VSC and suggested the driver “will have to surely sit down and talk to the team, and ask, ‘How did that happen? I was leading the race. Why was I not given the preferential cheap pit stop there?’”
Naomi Schiff, a former W Series driver and Sky Sports pundit, echoed the criticism, saying Russell is likely reflecting on why he could not gain a larger advantage and will probably ask, “Why did I not get to pit during the VSC?” She added that a fresher set of tyres might have secured the victory.
Antonelli, who secured his seventh Formula 1 win at Monza, now leads the championship by 66 points, extending his lead over Russell.