Chatterbox Russell Highlights Mercedes Flaw


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I find it quite ironic that Mercedes Formula One is such a well oiled machine that something so simple as a tyre change could go so horribly wrong. The irony is in the use of technology as they are so far ahead of everyone else on the track, but something was over looked like a silly radio and how they used it. Talk about a massive oversight on their part yet they are the smartest in the business. Human error can happen anywhere and not everyone is a robot.

They have had the system of a using a one way radio in each of the 2 pit crews for years with no issues. The channel is an open channel, but they can only receive one call at a time. This is normally from the pit crew boss Ron Meadows who sits on the racing wall directing everything that goes on.


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Only one set of mechanics knew their car was coming in and the others soon realised when Bottas pulled up it was a double pit stop. Bottas left on the same tyres he came in on as Russell had two of his on his car.

Last weekend he called the drivers in and instructed the red and green crews to prepare for a tyre change. Red and green being Bottas and Russell's cars coming in and they must get the tyres ready for the pit crew. The first message was received, but the second crew never heard the instructions because Russell came on live having another question. Ron Meadows was unaware that his message had failed to be delivered to the one team.

For any of you that watch the racing regularly Bottas and Hamilton don't speak that much and just get on with it. When they are buzzed they tend to get annoyed if it is not important. Last weekend Russell was asking questions as though he wanted to chat as he was obviously nervous and excited at the same time.

His constant chatter exposed the Mercedes weakness that could have happened at any one time. The radio settings have been changed now and one person can talk at a time like a queueing system. If this happened again Russell's message would be relayed immediately after Ron Meadows message so no one would be cut off missing out.

A simple fix but it just goes to show you the simplest things that could be obvious to outsiders looking in is not so obvious when you have been working in that environment. Happening like it did was great as the team already have won the title and it was not a costly blunder team wise. For Russell it was a big blunder as he by chatting most likely cost him his first win in Formula One.

He was worse than an old woman last week nattering at every opportunity and should have stayed off the air waves unless it was important. He kept on asking how old the tyres were on the other cars around him instead of just focusing on the job at hand. When you have the quickest car and the best team you don't need to worry about anyone else yet he wanted them to hold his hand throughout the race. Hopefully that is a hard lesson learnt and in future he will just keep quiet and get on with it.



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(Edited)

I agree Mercedes messed up big time and Russell got the most damage from it.

But on the other hand, there is a silver lining. If Russell did not have any issues in the race and won it comfortably it would be hard to judge his skills at a top team. People would think " Hey its the car".

Here Russell got into a situation where he had to fight his way through. He was able to display brave overtakes, controlled racing, and ability to efficiently move up the pack from the back. This will surely turn some heads at the top teams and I am sure top heads at Mercedes as well.

So all in all, though Russell was not able to get a good result to show on his resume, he sure got the opportunity to display his talent.

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