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!

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"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."

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