Russell says F1 is a one-corner race after US GP, urges tyre changes

George Russell warned that Formula 1 has become effectively a one‑corner sport after the United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas, saying outcomes are being decided at Turn 1 as a result of minimal tyre degradation and tightly bunched lap times. The Mercedes driver, who finished second in Saturday's sprint but dropped from fourth to sixth on Sunday and remained there to the flag, called for changes to restore meaningful on‑track overtaking and strategic variation.

Russell made the most significant move of the sprint on lap eight when he lunged down the inside of Turn 12 in an attempt to pass race leader Max Verstappen. He later said the attempt was his last realistic chance. "I knew that would probably be my last chance. So I sent it," he said. The manoeuvre did not succeed and Verstappen retained the lead to win the sprint. In the main race Russell said a congested opening corner left him boxed in behind rivals and unable to make progress thereafter.

"Right now in F1 it's a race to Turn 1," Russell said, citing the lack of tyre degradation and the small performance gap among the top cars. He argued that where drivers come through the opening sequence largely...