George Russell calls F1 “too complicated” after chaotic Bahrain Grand Prix

George Russell criticised F1’s complexity after a chaotic Bahrain Grand Prix, describing it as “not very F1”. The driver had been in contention for a podium at Sepang International Circuit before a power-unit failure ended his race on lap 50. He also called his retirement “very disappointing”.

Russell criticised the day’s proceedings too, pointing to problems during the formation laps. “The whole day felt like a bit of a faff with the delay and then the red flag and then endless laps under the safety car and then suddenly doing extra laps to allow Checo to overtake,” he said. He described the day as “a bit of a faff”.

His frustration also concerned the spectacle for spectators. “It just didn’t feel very F1 today. And I’d have been a bit disappointed if I was in the stands watching that unfold,” he said, adding that from his perspective it had been frustrating.

FIA single-seater director Nikolas Tombazis described a concertina effect between cars, with some almost coming to a complete stop. He said a bug had prevented power from being redeployed and the cars from starting again. Russell also pointed to the complexity of the power units: “The more complicated you make things, the more there is to go wrong.”