F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Russell thinks Austin could offer Mercedes chance of success

George Russell says there are no upcoming 'stand-out' tracks where Mercedes could snatch its first win of the season, but the Briton nevertheless feels that Austin could offer the Brackley squad its best chance of success.

F1 teams will begin their final stretch of 2022 this week in Singapore, with six rounds remaining on the calendar.

Unfortunately, this year's difficult campaign, marked by Mercedes' struggles to get on top of the aerodynamic issues that have impacted its 2022 car, has left the reigning world champions still chasing after their first win, a first since 2011, the team's last winless season in F1.

Looking ahead at F1's travels from Asia to the American continent and then on to Brazil and finally Abu Dhabi, Russell pondered where his team could eventually prevail.

"Not too sure," he said. "There’s no stand-outs that really spring to mind.

"Singapore could be interesting, but historically it’s a circuit where Mercedes have struggled a little bit, and we know at street circuits this year we haven’t fared so well.

"I’d probably say maybe Austin; I think Austin could be a circuit that suits us better – but I truly don’t know."

©Mercedes

Next month's US Grand Prix will mark ten years since F1 raced for the first at The Circuit of the Americas.

Since, the event held on the outskirts of the vibrant city of Austin has become one of the most popular races on F1's agenda.

Beyond his timid prediction, Russell prefers to underscore the progress achieved by Mercedes over the summer, and the gains that remained to be unlocked.

"I think as a team we’re making a huge amount of progress at the moment and [we’re] understanding the car more and more," he said.

"Hopefully as we develop the car further, we can take some further gains."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.

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