F1 News

Azerbaijan Grand Prix the worst weekend for Williams - Russell

Azerbaijan Grand Prix the worst weekend for Williams - Russell

29-04-2019 11:30 Last update: 11:32
Author profile picture

Bobby Vincent

George Russell has admitted the Azerbaijan Grand Prix was the worst overall weekend for Williams so far in the 2019 campaign.

Things started off horrifically for Russell in FP1, when he ran over a loose drain cover that destroyed the whole underside of his FW42 chassis, forcing the rookie out of the rest of Friday's practice sessions.

Robert Kubica was the next to add to Williams' woes, when the Pole crashed into the barriers at the tight Castle Section in the first qualifying session on Saturday.

Both of the drivers were able to finish the race - albeit in the final two places - and were two laps down on eventual race winner Valtteri Bottas, with Russell branding it the "worst weekend" since he's been driving in Formula 1.

"(Sunday) was slightly better. Overall, Baku has probably been the worst weekend of the year for us," the Briton told reporters in Baku. "Our Baku set-up didn't work as we anticipated. So, all our eyes are on Barcelona now and hopefully we will be closer to the pack."

Williams are rock-bottom of the constructors' standings as we approach the fifth race of the season in Barcelona in two weeks time, with the former world champions yet to score a single point this term.