#jenson said that he got his world title and achieved what he needed to do

[topnotchquark]

I've had something a bit tender in my heart since I read that Jenson Button's dad used to come to every race of his and his sudden passing away in 2014 is what ultimately triggered Jenson to leave F1. He said he couldn't muster the same joy or hunger for racing after that and I haven't stopped thinking about it since.

[youjustwaitsunshine]

Interview with George Russell for Stuttgarter Zeitung 23.6.2022

Interviewer: Jürgen Kemmner

Translation + original article (photo) under the cut

For three years, George Russell drove for the back-of-the-grid team Williams, this year he's sitting in a Mercedes, teammate to superstar Lewis Hamilton. This brings big changes for the 24 year old Brit - both positive and negative.

Mr. Russell, do you need to pinch yourself when you see yourself ahead of Lewis Hamilton in the Championship?No, not at all. I'm not here to fight against him, we fight for race wins. Lewis is an exceptional driver and what he has achieved is incredible. I want to be at the top, not only ahead of Lewis, that's not enough.

With what expectations did you join Mercedes?I was convinced that it would be something special and different to Williams - and that it wouldn't be easy. It was enormously inspiring to me to witness the work ethic in this team, the high level everyone works at and how everyone motivates each other. I was aware it would be a massive challenge to be the teammate of Lewis. I took this step because I'm confident in my abilities.

You scored top five finishes all through the season, except for your home race in Silverstone. It was a difficult moment to watch the race from the sidelines. I can't remember going out in the first lap anywhere in my entire career. And Silverstone was twice as painful because we had the chance at a race win.

You hurried to Zhou Guanyus car after his heavy accident to help him - Your car was taken away which stopped you from starting again. Do you feel cheated?The problem is that the Stewards follow the exact wording of the regulations - but you can't write down rules for every scenario. For decisions like this, I'd wish for more delicate decision-making for the sake of the sport. But then maybe there would have been damage to my car and I'd have had to retire, or I could have gotten a penalty,..

Fans on social media were celebrating you and comparing you to racing legend Ayrton Senna who once helped a crashed colleague as well. I was convinced I had to help, I definitely didn't think of Senna there - I didn't know of the incident bback then. The crash was the worst one I've ever seen - and was directly involved in.

Social Media is a minefield, people talk bad about others and also as a sports star you need to endure quite a lot. Do you read posts about yourself? I try to limit it. You said it, sometimes on social media you're in terrible company. Sadly there's people, not few of them, who put you down, potentially only to make themselves feel better. Maybe it's also jealousy when you write something bad about someone - it's so easy to sit at home on your keyboard to insult others on the Internet because you're not face to face. That barrier has some people writing whatever they want.

In Montreal you got booed by an older fan. I smiled hearing him. But to be honest, it's genuinely pathetic. Who gives you the right to do this? What crime did I commit to get booed? People often forget that we're all human. I realized that in 2009, when I was eleven, at a motorsports event where Jenson Button was honored for his Championship title, Lewis Hamilton was there and Ross Brawn (team principal back then; publisher's note) as well. When I went to the bathroom, Ross Brawn was there - as an eleven year old, I couldn't believe meeting him there. I only knew him from TV and suddenly I realized: He's real, he's flesh and bone, just like me. This realization has stayed with me. Many people forget that when they talk badly about athletes, celebrities or politicians because they somehow believe they're aliens. It's a strange world we live in.

With Mercedes, you're more in the limelight than you were with Williams. Are you coping well with that role? (Laughs.) It was a radical change because it happened during the pandemic. 2019 I was with Williams, then the pandemic came in 2020 and 2021 where no one was about, and no fans during the races - and 2022 I'm with Mercedes and spectators are flowing to the races. That's something new. As a child I dreamt of becoming a Formula 1 driver, not about becoming famous.

McLaren driver Lando Norris said you'd changed since you started at Mercedes. You'd become more serious... I have always been serious. I know how to separate work and private life, of course you can go and have a beer with me too sometimes. Everyone changes, nobody's the person they were ten years ago. At 17, a lot of people want to party every night, with thirty that isn't the case anymore. That's also due to the circumstances. This season, I had 27 more days compared to 2021 where I had to do sponsor or PR appointments for the team. 27 days I was missing as a racing driver. When I have time off, I go to the gym and not the golf course, no matter how nice the weather is.

Which values do you want to stay true to? To stay grounded, be humble, to know where my roots are. Since I joined F1, I'm better at telling the truth for me from the bullshit. I quickly learned who's a true friend and who just wants to use me. And I've learned what I expect from life and what I need for it. My girlfriend and the handful of true friends I have know the life I lead and they accept me.

Last question: What can you accomplish in France? I expect a lot, we made great steps forwards. I think we'll be able to fight for wins this season.

[fcb-mv33]

"what's wrong with him when it took him so long to get the title!!" It Jenson 9 seasons to get his title and it took Nico 10. There's 6 seasons between Lewis' first & second title (same with Graham Hill and Jack Brabham also had the same gap between his second and third title), and five seasons Michael's between second & third title. Niki Lauda has the biggest gap between titles with 7 seasons between his second and third title (though it should be noted that he did compete in all of those seasons). People say he'll only win one title to shame him as if winning a wdc is an easy feat. F1 has plenty of brilliant drivers who either only took one championship home (Mansell, Kimi, Jenson, Nico, Hunt for example) or who never did get their hands on that trophy (Moss, Barrichello, Ickx for example), that doesn't negate their talent. Luck, the speed of the car, the reliability of car, the team's dynamic all plays a part, people forget that. You can be an incredible driver but without at least some of that support, you're going nowhere. If you do have it, sometimes it works out, other times it doesn't. We don't know who's going to win in the upcoming years but I can guarantee you any driver on the grid would be glad to see just one wdc with their name on it. Like it or not, Max is incredible driver. He's been smashing records since the beginning and while those records could be broken in the future, no matter what comes next he'll always be the first Dutch driver to lead a lap, to win a Grand Prix and to win the wdc. He's currently ranked 16th of formula 1 grand prix winners with the most wins (joint with Mika Hakkinen), his closest contemporary (of his generation/of the younger drivers) is Leclerc who's the joint 65th with Perez, Max's career is still just beginning yet he's already amongst the top drivers ever in the sport. I believe he'll win the wdc again but even if he doesn't he'll still be an incredible driver because he simply is one. I want him to win again but he doesn't have jack shit to prove to anyone anymore.

I see absolutely nothing but facts from you anon🥰🥰

Max’s f1 career has been in the middle of a very dominant Merc era, when Max got into Red Bull from 2016-2020 Merc had the best car…and yet Max was still able to battle, get poles and win which people need to remember. The car is a massive part in a driver winning, like if Max didn’t have as many reliability issues especially in 2020 he would have been fighting at least for p2 in the championship. Merc has the least amount of reliability issues liek they didn’t. And yes if you are an amazing driver that also help like Max in 2020 Christian saying Max was able to mask the problem of the car cause how good he is. 

Max since he began in F1 has broken records…last season he was still doing it as well, Max earned his championship this year, he was the one out of the two who deserved it the most and I agree once Red Bull give Max a reliable car…there is no stopping him, he is v much able to be a multiple world champion🥰

Since Max got into F1 people have said he is a championship winning…he has been compared to Senna and Schumacher since 2016…there’s much more for Max to achieve and I’ll never forget Martin Brundle saying “thank god for Max Verstappen” in Silverstone 2020…that is what he brings to F1…entertainment and excitement and 2021 was just the beginning🧡

[meaningofmotorsport]

Mid-Week Motorsport Headlines - 27th January 2021

Extreme E

Jenson Button, on top of his Sky F1 and Super GT commitments, will be racing in Extreme E this year, after setting up his own team to compete in this new exciting series, doing both the driving and the managing will be a big job for the 2009 F1 World Champion, but I am sure he will be up to the task. There is no word yet on who is female co-driver will be, although with the Girls on Track scheme just finishing, he will be spoilt for choice, maybe he should speak to the Ferrari Driver Academy about leasing one of their new signings!

Formula 1

In a busy week for Button, he also has begun a role advising the Williams F1 team going forward, it is unclear what his role will entail entirely, yet I am sure his experience working with some of the best teams in the sport, will bring some fresh and new ideas to the Grove based team.

IndyCar

Some female driver and team news we can announce this week, is the birth of Paretta Autosport, who will race in this year's Indy 500 using a fifth Penske car. This is not the first time that Beth Paretta has attempted to venture into IndyCar, having almost got there in 2016 with Catherine Legge being the driver, now she is bringing in previous IndyCar driver Simona di Silvestro, who's experience should really aid the team to get up to speed quickly. It may be a tall order to even make the grid for the 500, as we should be expecting bumping again this year, so for any new team to get right in is no given, however with Penske backing they should have as good a shot as they can get. Plus, if this can inspire young women and girls to get into motor racing, then it has fulfilled its purpose no matter how well they do on track, to break down the barriers of Motorsport and show that everyone is welcome. The team hopes to increase their schedule going forward into 2022, as hopefully more sponsors come onboard, and the team grows in numbers.

It has been rumoured for so long, but it was finally confirmed that James Hinchcliffe will be driving the No. 29 for Andretti Autosport for the full season. Last year he did a partial season with the team, after being unceremoniously dumped by Arrow McLaren SP, in which he performed well in comparison to his colleagues. I still expect Rossi and Herta to be the two team leaders going for the title, yet Hinch will bring a lot of experience to the team, which I am sure Michael Andretti will want, and he could even get a win or two.

In further IndyCar news, NBC has announced that it will be transferring its IndyCar streaming service from NBC Sports Gold to Peacock, this was expected as we see the growth of Peacock in the States. The question is what does it mean going forward for the series, if IndyCar and NBC can get the balance right between Cable and Streaming, it could allow it to boom, but if not, we could lose the sport behind a paywall for many years. Then, with the TV contract up for renewal, do IndyCar even stay with NBC, chances are they will, yet they need to consider all the option, and go for what will give the sport the best exposure and allow it to grow to the size it deserves to be.

Formula E

Alpine and Lotus are looking at possibly entering Formula E in the near future as a collaboration, following the shock departures of Audi and BMW. They are currently evaluating their options, including the new LMH/LMDH programme, after the return of Alpine to motor racing for this year in F1. Seeing these two brands return to racing more regularly would definitely be great news, however I feel that before Alpine venture too far, they need to build some momentum in F1, as things do seem to have stalled a bit recently, with their being little signs of them troubling the top teams.

MotoGP

The LCR MotoGP is another team to confirm it will stay in the sport until 2026 at least, following KTM and Ducati, the series is in a really strong position currently, after a stellar 2020 in terms of racing. Even if Marquez returns this year, we can expect more fireworks throughout the year, and talking of Marquez there is still uncertainty if he will be fit for the pre-season tests or even the season opener in March. If so, Dovizioso has said he will be ready to step in if needed, but this raises bigger questions as to whether Marc will ever return to be the racer we knew before the accident.

IMSA

Acura is the third manufacturer to commit to the new LMDH rules set to begin in 2023, this further strengthens the top class of IMSA going forward, after Porsche and Audi announced they were joining last year. We are still yet to hear of Cadillac or Mazda's plans, but it would be surprising if we didn't see at least one of them joining up after the current regulations end. With so many big names signing up for both Hypercar programmes either side of the Atlantic, the main question now is, which series will they take part in, will we see Audi and Porsche at Le Mans? Toyota and Peugeot at Daytona? Only time will tell!

WEC

Talking of the WEC, their opening round of the 2021 season has been moved from the joint round at Sebring with IMSA, to Portamao as a result of the current global situation. Whilst it is a shame that they will not hold the SuperSebring event, it does allow the WEC to go to a rather brilliant track in Portugal, which I am sure will provide excellent action and pictures for everyone watching.

BTCC

Jason Plato will return to the BTCC following a year sabbatical, due to the world crisis, he will continue to work with Power Maxed Racing and drive the Vauxhall Astra, as the BTCC great returns he should achieve his 600th race for the championship, and maybe even get his 100th win! Meanwhile, following Ingram's departure from Toyota to Excelr8 Trade Price Cars and the improving Hyundai, it has been announced that Rory Butcher, who was a front runner for the title last year, and Sam Smelt will be the drivers for an increased factory effort by Toyota for the 2021 season. The Toyota did show pace last year, it is just whether they can find that extra bit to take the fight to the rear wheel drive cars now.

-M