Russell: 'No deployment' as Piastri sweeps past at Dutch GP
Summary
George Russell says a lack of deployment left him helpless as Oscar Piastri overtook him at the Dutch GP restart, while the Mercedes drivers also compared notes on a weak feeling into Turn 7.
George Russell wasn't looking in his mirrors when Oscar Piastri swept past at the Dutch GP restart, blaming a lack of deployment for the move. He finished P3 after a "stinker" start, but the moment exposed a recurring weakness for Mercedes.
Why it matters:
Mercedes' deployment issues could be a concern as they fight McLaren for wins. Russell's admission shows the W16 still has a deficit in certain conditions, even as teammate Kimi Antonelli pushed McLaren hard.
The details:
- At the restart, Piastri's McLaren swept past into Turn 7. Russell: "I wasn't even looking in the mirrors. No deployment. I didn't even look in my mirrors and next thing I just see he's on the inside."
- In the cooldown room, both Mercedes drivers were on strategy four and felt a weakness into Turn 7. Antonelli: "It felt really weak." Russell: "When I went 7, it was a big difference."
- The replay also showed Verstappen's heavy crash, which Russell called "huge," and Bortoleto's incident, with Hulkenberg's evasive skills earning praise as "crazy."
What's next:
With McLaren winning back-to-back races, Mercedes must solve its deployment issues quickly. Monza's low downforce could either mask or expose the problem.
Original Article :https://www.planetf1.com/news/oscar-piastri-overtake-george-russell-mercedes-dut...