George Russell firmly rejects potential F1 rule change after horror crash

George Russell has emphatically rejected the idea that the FIA could develop a system to automatically close the DRS following Jack Doohan’s 185mph accident. 

Doohan attempted to go through Suzuka’s Turn 1 with the rear-wing open in Free Practice 2 for the Japanese Grand Prix, but spun off at 185mph, destroying the Alpine. 

On Friday evening in the drivers’ briefing, the idea that the FIA could develop a system to automatically shut the DRS flap was raised, with drivers currently having to either press the brake pedal or manually close the wing. 

Some, such as Lewis Hamilton, prefer to manually close the flap to ensure the air-flow re-attaches itself in time before the corner, with new GPDA director Carlos Sainz hopeful an automatic closing system could be introduced. 

However, fellow GPDA chief Russell has strongly spoken out against any further assistance being given to drivers.

"Obviously what happened to Jack was a big shunt, and very unfortunate," GPDA director Russell told media including RacingNews365. 

"But it is one of those things that you see happen once and everybody will recognise that this is probably the only corner of the whole calendar that it is a problem.

"I don't think anything needs to be done. 

"As drivers, you have responsibilities. We've got to go flat-out down the straight into Turn 1 and clicking the button to turn the DRS off is part of the job. 

"We don't want it to be automated, we've got to leave it down to the drivers. There are already too many gadgets assisting us."