George Russell is looking forward to returning to the Paul Ricard circuit this weekend as Formula 1 teams prepare for the first triple-header of the season.
The French Grand Prix returns to the calendar after its cancellation last year due to a coronavirus pandemic, and marks the start of a triple-header as two races are scheduled in Austria across the following two weeks.
Russell, who failed to finish the Azerbaijan Grand Prix last time out, says the Paul Ricard circuit is challenging due to the variety of corners on offer, and also believes the season is starting to ‘hot up’ with three races in a row.
“I’m looking forward to going back racing again. Paul Ricard is a very tricky circuit with numerous different types of corner.
“Turn 11 is one of the most challenging physically, both on the driver and on the car, on the entire calendar and is a joy to drive.
“I’m also looking forward to three races in a row, as we move onward to Austria after France, and the season really starting to hot up.”
However, the British driver won’t be in the FW43B for the first practice session on Friday, with Williams Racing announcing that test driver Roy Nissany will participate in the first hour.
The young driver says the Paul Ricard circuit is special to him and looking forward to going around the track in FW34B.
“I can’t wait to be back in the car, it’s very addictive! Circuit Paul Ricard is a special track for me, I love the layout and have great memories from there.
“The last sector is usually very challenging, and I can’t wait to experience it in the FW43B.”
Nicholas Latifi – “I felt were some strong performances in Monaco and Baku”
Nicholas Latifi is excited to get back to racing after he believed were some strong performances in Monaco and Baku, although the latter Grand Prix ended in controversy.
The Canadian was handed a ten-second stop and go penalty, which was later upgraded to a thirty-second time penalty after he failed to enter the pitlane during a safety car, ultimately a missed communication between himself and his engineer.
However, Latifi did have a strong race prior to that incident, and he’s keen to carry that momentum into this weekend French Grand Prix and wants to achieve a good result before they travel to Austria.
“I’m extremely excited to get back racing again, especially after what I felt were some strong performances in Monaco and Baku,” said Latifi. “I’ll definitely be looking to keep that momentum as we move on to Paul Ricard.”
“It’s quite a different track to those we have just been at, so I’m curious to see how the car performs around a more conventional circuit.
“It’s also the first round of a triple-header, so I am hoping for a good result to set the bar for the races ahead.”
