F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Leclerc warns Russell over 'long and boring' first F1 races

Charles Leclerc says Williams rookie George Russell might find his first few races in F1 long and boring, just like he did at the start of his career last year.

At double the length compared to F2 events, a Grand Prix will seem like a long haul to the checkered flag for young drivers serving their apprenticeship in F1, especially when they're racing towards the rear of the field, which was Leclerc's case with Sauber in the early part of last year's campaign.

"I remember finding the first races extremely long in Formula 1 compared to Formula 2," said Leclerc, as quoted by RaceFans.net.

"After 20 laps you think that the finish is two laps away and then they tell you ‘OK, 40 laps to go’. That’s quite long!

"In the first three races we were not so competitive so after 20 laps, we were alone in 19th position. And then it gets quite boring because you are just waiting for the end of the race.

"So maybe this played a part in thinking that the race was too long. But after that it was actually more interesting."

Russell won last year's FIA Formula 2 Championship and enters Grand Prix racing well prepared with Williams.

The Mercedes protégé has accumulated many miles of F1 testing in the past could of years, running in the past with Mercedes and Force India before signing with Williams.

"I think he is a very strong driver," said Leclerc.

"Obviously I don’t know whether he will struggle as much as I did in the first three races or not. I don’t have much tips to give him, for sure he will find his way along to the top."

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Michael Delaney

Recent Posts

Williams' headaches persist into Vegas practice

Williams is continuing to fight uphill battles this weekend in Las Vegas as a knock-on…

54 mins ago

Ferrari's Sainz 'not satisfied with where we are' in Vegas

It was a solid start to the Las Vegas weekend for Ferrari with Carlos Sainz…

2 hours ago

Norris labels McLaren long-run pace ‘shocking’ in chilly Vegas

Lando Norris didn’t hold back in his assessment of McLaren’s performance on the opening day…

3 hours ago

Hamilton delighted with ‘consistently strong day’ in Vegas

Lewis Hamilton was particularly happy with his opening day of running at the Las Vegas…

5 hours ago

Verstappen stuck with 'draggy' rear wing for Vegas

Red Bull fears that its prospects for this weekend's Las Vegas Grand Prix - which…

5 hours ago

Ferrari and Mercedes admit to plank changes based on FIA’s TD

Ferrari and Mercedes have both modified their car’s floor element in Las Vegas to comply…

6 hours ago