George Russell comes to 'crazy' realisation after 19 red flags in Madring test

George Russell has explained his surprise at there being only 19 red flags during an F3 test at the Madring after trailing the track on Mercedes' simulator. 

Before the grand prix weekend, a two-day test for FIA F3 drivers was held at F1's newest circuit, with the outing producing a total of 19 red flags as drivers became accustomed to the new layout, with tight walls and multiple blind spots. 

After sampling the new layout for the first time on the Mercedes simulator, Russell has explained how he felt the number of red flags was actually below his expectations. 

The Briton also explained how the track was similar in style to Saudi Arabia's Jeddah Corniche Circuit, but also the Baku street circuit in Azerbaijan. 

"I said in the TV pen that when I heard about the 20 red flags in F3, I was a bit surprised," Russell told media, including RacingNews365. 

"And then after I drove on the sim, I was surprised there were only 20 red flags, so it is a crazy circuit. 

"I would put it as arguably the riskiest circuit of the whole calendar, because you have real high-speed corners, sort of Jeddah-esque. 

"The walls are very close, so there is no margin for error, but then you have other corners that are quite like Baku, where you're coming from high-speed into a slow braking zone, and you're braking and turning at the same time, so locking tyres will be easy. 

"If you lock up, you'll be straight in the wall, so I'm excited to trial it out. I think it is going to be really challenging for us as drivers.

"The race is going to be challenging to overtake, so on the whole, it is not easy."