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Star drivers Leclerc and Russell bond over modern setup puzzle
George Russell and Charles Leclerc found common ground during their unexpected 1-2 finish at Silverstone, sharing their struggles with the current generation of F1 cars.
By Lesley Bakker - 2026-07-16T17:43:05.000Z - 2 min read
The surprise one-two finish of Charles Leclerc and George Russell at the British Grand Prix prompted more astonishment than joy from both drivers. In the cooldown room after the race, they laughed about the unexpected result. Russell later revealed that this reaction stemmed from earlier conversations that weekend; he and Leclerc had texted after Friday's first practice session about their shared discomfort with their cars' performance.
Russell, who trails teammate Kimi Antonelli by 25 points this season, is searching for greater consistency. While he knows what needs to improve – "just go faster" – and the data clearly pinpoints the causes, adjusting his driving style is proving a complex task. He explained that it is not a 'car issue', but rather finding the 'sweet spot' with the new generation of engines, tires, and chassis, something he accomplished far more frequently last year.
Leclerc has also endured a tough season alongside a formidable teammate in Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari. His victory at Silverstone provided a welcome turnaround. The Monegasque driver hinted at a crucial detail discovered on Friday night that helped him align the car better with his driving style. However, he emphasized that a single win offers no guarantees and wants to validate this breakthrough across multiple circuits.
Adapting a driving technique that proved effective for twenty years represents one of the biggest hurdles for Russell. Actions that once came subconsciously now demand constant focus and deliberate efforts to master new techniques. This battle with adaptation, where everything clicks one day and collapses the next, remains a shared puzzle for top drivers in modern Formula 1.