F1 News

2019 driver weight rules ‘very beneficial’ says Russell

2019 driver weight rules ‘very beneficial’ says Russell

10-04-2019 10:16
4

Bevan Youl

Williams driver and Formula 1 rookie this season George Russell has praised the decision to change driver weight rules for this season, saying it has been ‘very beneficial’.

Russell, one of the tallest drivers on the grid, has managed to put on 6kg of weight from his Formula 2 winning season last year where he weighed 66kg but has been able to put on more weight thanks to the new rule.

Russell said (quoted by motorsport.com): "[I have] a lot more energy, I feel better.

"I'm sure my girlfriend would argue I look better too!

"It is very beneficial in more ways than one. F1 really needed that. 

“The next step is to make the cockpit a standard size across all cars because there is still benefits if you are a smaller driver.

"You can cram everything tighter, you have more room to do whatever you want. You can bring the radiators in closer. 

“I know in Formula 2 and GP3 [now Formula 3] they have a standard size to meet a driver of 172cm I believe.

"At the end of the day, you guys [the media] won't notice it, the fans won't notice it. But it's definitely going in the right direction."

The Briton also revealed that his low weight wasn’t for F2 as there wasn’t a requirement, but more for F1.

He said: “F2 did not have a limitation but I knew that when I jumped in the Mercedes last year that if I was heavier than Lewis or Valtteri I would be slower on the lap time.

“So, I wanted to show what I could do, and I didn't want any additional limitations or free lap time [given away]."