George Russell hits back at latest criticism of F1 regulations

George Russell has defended the recently announced changes to the F1 regulations, insisting the key concerns voiced across the opening rounds have been addressed.

The sport entered a new era under fresh regulations this year, but the behaviour of the new power units sparked worry among many drivers.

These fears were realised in Japan when Oliver Bearman suffered a large crash after being caught out by the dramatic closing speed while following Franco Colapinto.

A number of changes have since been announced, which will be in effect this weekend in Miami.

When it was put to him that he is praising the changes due to Mercedes' dominance, Russell retaliated, telling media including RacingNews365: “The truth is, what are you trying to achieve with the changes? Is it to have the fastest cars over a lap? 

“Is it to reduce the closing speed and potential dangerous situations? Or is it to stop the cars from losing speed at the end of a straight? Or is it to stop lifting coast on a quali lap? 

“The biggest concern was lift and coast on a quali lap - that's now gone. Losing major speed at the end of the straight on a quali lap - that's now gone.

“Reducing the closing speed when overtaking - that's now gone.”

One early proposal to address concerns with the power units included reducing the battery deployment from 350kW to 200kW in the race.

The plan, which was waved off last year, left Russell far from impressed.

“Those suggestions of having 200 kilowatts from the engine, we may as well race in F2 if that's the case, if that's what people want,” he said.

“So from what we've said we've wanted, the FIA have achieved what the complaints were about. 

“There's always going to be people who aren't happy about it, and especially people further down the order.

“But we've told them what we're not happy about, and they've gone out, they've changed the regulations and they've achieved what we've asked.”