Google News F1's Interference Fears: The Reason Behind Red Bull's Dominant Start
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The reigning world champions, Red Bull, have started off the new season with a three-for-three record, leading many to believe that they are on track to win all 23 races this year. However, according to Mercedes driver George Russell, the team is not showing its full potential due to fear of intervention from Formula One.
They're Almost Embarrassed to Show Their Full Potential
Russell believes that Red Bull is holding back its pace advantage out of fear that Formula One will step in and slow the team down, as has happened in the past. "For sure they're holding back," said Russell after retiring from the Australian Grand Prix.
"They're almost embarrassed to show their full potential because the faster they seem globally, the more the sport is going to try and hold them back somehow." According to Russell, Red Bull has a seventh-tenths advantage over the rest of the field, but Max Verstappen and the team have no reason to push it.
"Realistically, they probably have a seventh-tenths advantage over the field," said Russell. "Max has no reason to be pushing it, nor has Red Bull. They've done a really great job, to be fair to them, can't take anything away.
We clearly have to up our game."
Red Bull in a Class of Its Own
Red Bull has been in a class of its own this season, leading the constructors' championship with a 58-point lead over Aston Martin and a further nine points ahead of Mercedes.
Despite a car failure that took him out of contention, Russell briefly led a Mercedes one-two at the Australian Grand Prix, showing a clear improvement from their sluggish start to the season. Verstappen made light work of Lewis Hamilton when he had the benefit of Formula One's Drag Reduction System (DRS) overtaking aid.
Red Bull's dominant start to the season has many speculating about their potential to win all 23 races this year. However, according to George Russell, the team is holding back due to fears of intervention from Formula One.
