Russell explains “last chance” overtake on Verstappen in F1 US GP sprint

George Russell reckons his risky attempted overtake on Max Verstappen during the United States Grand Prix sprint was “last chance” saloon for the Mercedes Formula 1 driver to win the contest.

Russell finished second in the Saturday race at Circuit of the Americas and crossed the line 0.395s behind Red Bull’s Verstappen, with Williams racer Carlos Sainz completing the podium.

There was little wheel-to-wheel racing between Verstappen and Russell, but the Mercedes driver did make one attempt on lap eight by lunging down the inside of Turn 12. 

But Russell failed to make it stick and Verstappen was sent into avoiding action by going off at the exit, who subsequently voiced his displeasure despite keeping the lead.

“Had half a chance,” said Russell, who started fifth but was up there thanks to both title battling McLaren drivers retiring on the opening lap. 

“I knew that would probably be my last chance. So I sent it. Obviously, just couldn’t quite make the corner.

“But yeah, P2, it was decent. It was OK. But if the McLarens were there, I think they’d have been probably ahead of us.”

In the prior laps Verstappen’s pace was unconvincing, hence Russell having half the opportunity, but after it happened the four-time world champion was left unchallenged. 

“I saw Max was struggling a little bit and I was just, yeah, giving it absolutely everything,” added Russell.

“I knew that I would probably dig a little bit more, whereas when you’re in the lead, you’re probably trying to manage the tyres a bit better and he had a bit of a snap out of the previous corner.

“So I just thought, ‘you know what, this is my only chance’. There was a nice headwind in that corner, so I thought I could make it stick.

“But I was too far back. But I’m glad I tried it as opposed to just sitting there and still finishing in the same place.”

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– The Autosport.com Team