Russell on media obligations: 'Talking doesn't make me faster, it actually slows me down'

"I participated in a sponsor's event for six hours on Thursday. Does that make me faster? No, but it does make money for the team." In the little time that George Russell, like the rest of his peers, was able to allocate to the media, the Briton dwelt on the timed weekends of the drivers of F1.

While free practice begins on Friday, alongside qualifying on Saturday and the Grand Prix on Sunday, all drivers are expected at the circuits on Thursday for the traditional "media day." A day dedicated to press conferences, interviews, and content for the teams' social media communications.

Brazilian rookie Gabriel Bortoleto is already surprised by the number of media obligations for his first season in F1 with Sauber, and the observation is the same for Russell then in his seventh season in Formula 1, his fourth with Mercedes. " I arrive on Thursday morning with a sponsor event. Another on Friday evening. Another on Saturday evening. he lists. There are interviews throughout the weekend, partner activities on Sunday… Mentally, that’s the hardest part.”, the Briton told the Spanish daily Sports world.

"I would like to have 30 Grands Prix per season. The problem is that they are not just race weekends."

Ten minutes with this press, five with that radio station, two for a video posted on the team's social media: in addition to meetings with their engineers or physiotherapists, media obligations quickly pile up. And to avoid falling too far behind at the end of the day, no matter how many questions are asked at the end of regular time, the press officer blows the whistle for the end of the match.

"I understand that talking with [the media] is part of what the fans expect from us. Without them, F1 is nothing, and that's also what makes it so unique., admits George Russell. But to be honest, talking doesn't make me faster, it even slows me down because it takes energy. I'm not resting, I'm not training, I'm not in the simulator: all that time I could be spending getting faster.", underlines the Briton.

His angelic smile topped with unruly locks giving him the profile of the ideal son-in-law, he understands the importance of these obligations, but highlights the impact they can have on his performance: "The team knows that for a certain amount of time spent with a sponsor, it receives a certain amount of money, but no one can predict whether an event will make me a thousandth or a tenth slower. »

Media meetings that distract the driver from his main occupation: racing. An activity that's almost relegated to second place, becoming a real haven for drivers. "When you get into the car, that's when you feel free. It's my bubble, no one bothers me and I can do what I like best." A pure passion that almost makes him want more: “If I could choose, I would like to have 30 Grands Prix per season. The problem is, these aren't just race weekends."

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