Russell defiant over Singapore return following 2023 heartbreak

George Russell insists he is not “thinking about” his late heartbreak in the 2023 Singapore Grand Prix as he returns to Marina Bay. 

12 months ago, using a contra-strategy along with team-mate Lewis Hamilton, the Mercedes pair were reeling in leading duo Carlos Sainz and Lando Norris on far fresher tyres, and were haranguing the pair for the lead in the closing stages. 

On the final lap of the race, Norris clipped the wall on the entry to Turn 10, but survived, as Russell did the same, but crashed out, handing Hamilton third place, leading to emotional scenes post-race as the devastation set in. 

Returning to the track for the first time since, Russell insisted the accident was simply something that had to be factored into street circuit racing. 

“I don’t really, it is not something I’m thinking about,” he told media including RacingNews365 when asked about the return. 

“It is part of racing on street circuits, that if you are not 100% focused every single lap, you are going to get bitten. 

“It was a long old race, it was the last lap and I thought the race was kind of done, Lando kissed the wall, I touched it and before I knew it, I was out of the race.

“But that is how the game goes, it is not going to change my approach one bit how I go into this weekend and you learn from things like that.”