Russell: Norris's 'Abnormal' Start Key to Verstappen's US GP Win, Not Red Bull Dominance

George Russell suggests Max Verstappen's seemingly unchallenged victory at the US Grand Prix was less about Red Bull's overwhelming dominance and more about Lando Norris's unconventional strategy at the start of the race. Russell believes Norris's decision to stay behind Verstappen into Turn 1 disrupted his own race and prevented a closer fight for the lead.

Why it matters:

• Russell's perspective challenges the narrative of Red Bull's absolute supremacy, especially after a period where Mercedes and McLaren have shown stronger performance.
• His comments highlight the critical impact of early race positioning and strategy, particularly in circuits where overtaking is notoriously difficult.
• This shifts focus from raw car pace to tactical decisions, implying the competitive gap might be narrower than the US GP result suggests.

The Details:

• Russell, who started P4, aimed for a podium spot but felt his chances were thwarted by Norris's opening move.
• Norris's Strategy: Instead of moving to the outside to defend, Norris 'stayed behind Max' into Turn 1, an action Russell described as 'abnormal'.
  • This unexpected move 'rocked' Russell in, causing him to be overtaken and lose positions.
• Overtaking Difficulty: Russell reiterated his pre-race feeling that 'wherever you finish turn one is where you're going to finish', underscoring the challenge of making up ground on the COTA track.
• Red Bull's Pace: While acknowledging Red Bull's strong package since the summer break, Russell downplayed outright domination.
  • He noted Verstappen's winning margin was 6 or 7 seconds, suggesting a tighter race if Norris had maintained his position.
  • He referenced his own sprint race performance, being only 'half a tenth behind', to support the idea that the gap isn't insurmountable.

The Big Picture:

• Mercedes has enjoyed a more successful period since Azerbaijan, highlighted by their win in Singapore.
• They are currently in a tight battle for P2 in the Constructors' Championship against Ferrari and Red Bull, leading the pack after McLaren secured the championship.
• Russell's comments provide insight into the nuanced competitive landscape of F1, where individual driver decisions and track characteristics can significantly influence race outcomes, even amidst apparent team dominance.

What's next:

• The ongoing Constructors' battle for P2 will continue to be a key storyline, with Mercedes, Ferrari, and McLaren all vying for top positions.
• Teams will analyze the strategic implications of early race maneuvers, especially as they head into circuits with similar overtaking challenges.
• The conversation around Red Bull's true dominance versus the impact of external factors will likely persist as the season progresses.