P1racenews AI automatic summary:
George Russell has used an Ayrton Senna example to quash Max Verstappen’s criticism of rules.
During pre-season testing, Max Verstappen criticized the new F1 rules, likening them to “Formula E on steroids” due to the increased energy management demands and power unit regulations.
The new power units in F1 now have a 50-50 split between internal combustion engines and enhanced electrical systems, with batteries capable of holding 350kw of charge, up from 120kw in 2025 and the removal of the MGU-H.
Drivers must conserve energy to avoid depletion, leading to tactics like lifting and coasting into corners to save energy and prevent vulnerabilities.
Nevertheless, George Russell believes the energy management demands are just a unique challenge of the current generation of cars, drawing inspiration from Ayrton Senna’s aggressive driving style from F1’s past turbo era.
Russell emphasized the similarities in pushing the car to its limits, braking late, carrying speed through corners, and adapting to the quirks of each era, acknowledging the potential challenges in upcoming races but expressing his enjoyment of the current driving experience.
