P1racenews AI automatic summary:
George Russell was keen for his Mercedes team to make a key sacrifice ahead of his win at the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
George Russell expressed his desire for the Mercedes team to prioritize the upcoming Qatar weekend over the Las Vegas Grand Prix due to the anticipated favorable track conditions at Qatar’s Losail circuit. He believed that the smooth track surface and cool conditions in Qatar would better suit the W15 package, especially with the need for fresh engine components to meet the power demands. Despite initially planning to swap out his freshest engine for an older one in Las Vegas to preserve it for Qatar, Russell ultimately won the Las Vegas Grand Prix from pole position, relieving him of the need to implement that strategy. Russell emphasized Mercedes’ need to carefully balance the setup of the W15, noting the challenges posed by bumpy circuits that require adjustments to the car’s ride height and stiffness. He highlighted the team’s ability to excel on smoother circuits like Las Vegas, where they can optimize the car’s setup for superior performance.
