Russell secured a fourth-place finish in the previous edition of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, coming in behind Fernando Alonso. However, due to an incident involving Aston Martin’s pit crew, Alonso was penalized and Russell was briefly promoted to third place. Unfortunately, this ruling was later reversed.
According to a recent report by the BBC, there are allegations that FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem played a role in overturning Alonso’s penalty. The FIA has acknowledged that it has received two complaints regarding potential misconduct by certain members of its governing body, which is believed to be related to the claims against Ben Sulayem.
This week, F1 is once again holding a race in Saudi Arabia. Russell, who is not only a driver but also a director of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association, expressed the need for transparency and fairness in the sport. He emphasized the importance of having a level playing field to showcase the abilities of the drivers.
Reflecting on the incident from last year, Russell expressed surprise when the initial ruling was overturned. He mentioned that Mercedes’ legal team believed they had presented a strong case, only to ultimately lose. Russell reiterated the desire for transparency and the opportunity to compete on a fair and equal basis.
In addition, Russell shared his thoughts on the possibility of Max Verstappen, a three-time F1 Champion, joining Mercedes as his teammate in 2025, once Lewis Hamilton departs for Ferrari. With Red Bull currently facing internal issues involving team principal Christian Horner, Verstappen’s father, Jos, has criticized Horner’s continued involvement with the team. Russell acknowledged that any team would want to have the best driver lineup, and Verstappen is currently considered the best driver on the grid. He mentioned that the decision ultimately lies with Verstappen and Red Bull, and that the ongoing situation is not their concern at the moment. However, Russell expressed excitement at the prospect of Verstappen joining Mercedes.
Hamilton, the seven-time champion, also weighed in on the matter, stating that he wouldn’t be surprised if Verstappen moved to Mercedes. He acknowledged Verstappen’s talent as a great driver. Verstappen recently won the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix and is seen as a strong contender to retain his title.