Russell on his battle with Pérez: “It was hot”

If the fight for the 1^st and 2^e places did not take place in this Grand Prix of France, partly due to the abandonment of Charles Leclerc, the one for the last step of the podium animated this Sunday at Castellet. On the track, three contenders were fighting to find out who would accompany Max Verstappen et Lewis Hamilton on the box : Carlos Sainz, Sergio Pérez and George Russell.

The first city finally dismissed after a 2^e stop at the end of the race, the other two went blow for blow this Sunday. Chasing Sergio Pérez, George Russell attempted a first overtake 12 laps from the finish but the Mexican closed the door in an authoritarian manner at the North chicane. Enraged under his helmet, the pilot Mercedes took advantage of poor management of the Virtual Safety Car of its counterpart in Red Bull to take his revenge 3 loops from the checkerboard and thus finish 3^e.

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RUSSELL AND PEREZ MAKE CONTACT! 😳

The two drivers continue with Perez in P3 and Russell in P4 #FrenchGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/cnIJWXUyuo

— Formula 1 (@F1) July 24, 2022

« It was hot, admitted George Russell when discussing the duel against Sergio Pérez. It was a long and very hard race. We had a very solid pace but we struggled to get the tires up to temperature on the last restart and Checo was in front. So I was very happy when I saw the checkered flag later and finished 3^e.

I saw he was suffering when Sainz passed him and I knew I would only have one opportunity. In my opinion, I was inside and the rules are pretty clear. It's rear wheel to front wheel when you're side by side. He didn't give me much space. Above all, I'm happy to have been able to continue and bring home a 3^e place at home. It's great to be able to achieve a double podium. »

The only team represented by its two drivers on the field, Mercedes achieved its first double podium of the season thanks to the 2^e and 3^e places of Lewis Hamilton and George Russell. The last time the two Silver Arrows were seen together in the Top 3 was at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix last November.

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