George Russell was an interested observer of the Ferrari drivers’ tactics as they fought for position during the Chinese Grand Prix.
The Mercedes driver spent many laps stuck behind Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc as they fought over second place in the second half of the race. Russell pointed out Leclerc intentionally slowed down his team mate at points, tactics which Hamilton emulated when he got ahead.
The three cars first met on track early in the race. However Russell had little difficulty passing the Ferrari drivers to begin with when they started on the medium tyre compound:
Lap: 2/56 RUS: 1’38.125, LEC: 1’39.148, HAM: 1’38.587
Dudley
Overtake enabled. Careful debris exit turn three.
Bozzi
Overtake enabled.
Santi
Overtake is enabled
Dudley
Ahead of Leclerc 0.5.
Antonelli has overtake behind you.
Lap: 3/56 RUS: 1’37.093, LEC: 1’37.835, HAM: 1’38.234
Dudley
Leclerc will have overtake here.Russell drives past Leclerc on the pit straight
Bozzi
Russell 0.1
You have the overtake, you have the overtake.
Dudley
Diff entry, diff high speed available.
Leclerc
[Unclear] it doesn’t feel so good, what’s going on?
Hamilton does not activate Straight Mode approaching turn 14 Russell has overtake behind you.Russell passes Hamilton on the pit straight
Dudley
Gap ahead of Lewis is 0.9.
Lap: 4/56 RUS: 1’37.462, LEC: 1’37.863, HAM: 1’37.636
Dudley
Lewis will have overtake.Russell drives past Hamilton on the pit straight
Bozzi
And we need more tyre saving turn seven. Avoid left toggle too many times for engine braking limit.
You have the overtake.
Russell
Gap ahead?
Approaching turn 11 And reminder SM [Straight Mode] in the back straight, SM in back straight.
Dudley
0.9.
We need more tyre saving in seven please, more tyre saving in seven.
Lap: 5/56 RUS: 1’37.375, LEC: 1’38.136, HAM: 1’37.962
Dudley
Gap 1.2. Lewis behind will have overtake.
Bozzi
Up to you to manage, but turn seven is fast from our numbers.
Tyre update when you can.
Dudley
Gap 0.7.
Leclerc
Compared to reference or across cars?
Hamilton
Tyres are okay, just no battery.
Dudley
Now, one second.
Bozzi
Both sliding overall and across cars.
Santi
Early braking, early turn-in in turn 16.
Dudley
Are you talking in front or behind?
Dudley
Ahead, 1.1 behind. Gap was one second behind, Lewis will have overtake.
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Once Russell passed the Mercedes drivers he was able to pull away in an attempt to chase down his team mate Andrea Kimi Antonelli. Behind him, Leclerc reported it was harder to overtake than it had been in the previous day’s sprint race.
The appearance of the Safety Car thwarted Russell: as all four race-leading drivers pitted, others stayed out, and at the restart he was separated from his team mate by Franco Colapinto and Oliver Bearman.
Lap: 6/56 RUS: 1’37.383, LEC: 1’37.994, HAM: 1’38.221
Dudley
Gap ahead 1.6, behind 1.5.
Bozzi
Tyre phase update when you can.
Hamilton
Have I got overtake?
Yes, you have.
Santi
Switch position, yellow.
Hamilton
Antonelli and Russell pull away Hard to keep up with these guys.
Santi
It’s fine, we understood, keep focus on tyres please
Lap: 7/56 RUS: 1’37.383, LEC: 1’37.994, HAM: 1’38.221
Dudley
Some medium runners.
Bozzi
Antonelli 37.2.
Hamilton
I have no power across the start line.
Russell
Talking over him [Unclear] okay?
Santi
Understood. No overtake.
Yeah I’ll have a look. Some medium runners complaining of graining
Less push inside, but if you can…
Russell
Gap 1.5 ahead, 3.4 behind. Turn one at the limit for us now, so we’re happy where we are.
Hamilton
Interrupts Car behind?
Behind on overtake!
And no push button, exit 15, is detrimental for power.
Hamilton
Okay.
Turn seven was good, keep it as a reference, Charles has overtake behind you.
Lap: 8/56 RUS: 1’37.266, LEC: 1’37.794, HAM: 1’37.929
Bozzi
You have overtake.
Leclerc
Much more difficult to overtake today, actually.
Bozzi
Switch position, yellow.
Bozzi
Brake balance plus one, rear locking phase two.
Lap: 9/56 RUS: 1’37.261, LEC: 1’38.130, HAM: 1’38.371
Bozzi
Mode FW suggestion.
Hamilton
Graining starting, left-front.
Leclerc
[Unclear]
Santi
A bit more saving in turn eight. Turn seven was fine. And switch position red.
Bozzi
Radio poor.
Hamilton
What?
Switch position red, earlier braking turn 14, less peak.
Hamilton
They’re just pulling away ahead.
Santi
Copy. Entry five, mid two, suggestion, entry five, mid two
Lap: 10/56 RUS: 1’52.779, LEC: 1’52.397, HAM: 1’49.946
Dudley
Safety Car, Safety Car so box, box. Strat one.
Leclerc
Yeah [unclear] the same thing.
Santi
We are on plan A, we are on plan A, Charles overtake behind you.
Russell
[Unclear] we just stay close on the delta.
Bozzi
Switch position red, switch position red. Yellow turn two for now. And box, Charles, box.
Santi
Flap update when you can.
Dudley
Reset diff entry.
Leclerc
Say to Lewis to stay close to his dash, he is slowing down.
Hamilton
Err… I mean… Front left is definitely dropping.
Russell
I’m in the pits.
Safety Car, Safety Car. Box, box.
Dudley
Affirm.
Hamilton
Yeah, going for plus two.
Dudley
Just don’t push the Ferrari back.
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Soon after the restart Hamilton and Leclerc repassed Russell, who complained he was having difficulty getting heat into his hard tyres:
Lap: 13/56 RUS: 2’29.280, LEC: 2’26.486, HAM: 2’28.395
Dudley
Safety Car in this lap.
Bozzi
So the restart will be mode K2, turn 14, and use low gears there.
Santi
Safety Car in this lap. The only place to improve driving-wise is braking 14, less peak, earlier braking. And green one position eight. Reminder for the restart: K2 before 14, low gears, higher revs.
Dudley
Just reminder for the restart, it will be strat seven.After the restart, Hamilton passes Russell at the exit of turn six
Hamilton
I go to K2?
Santi
Affirm K2, K2. The race restarts
Lap: 15/56 RUS: 1’38.910, LEC: 1’37.205, HAM: 1’37.073
Dudley
Overtake enabled. Leclerc behind will have overtake.Leclerc passes Russell approaching turn one
Bozzi
And focus on turn seven and eight, that will help later on.
Santi
Hamilton closes on Colapinto Overtake, we have overtake.
Russell
We got no fucking grip.
Santi
Hamilton passes Colapinto Well done, and now focus on tyres.
Russell remained behind the Ferrari drivers as they passed Bearman and Colapinto.
Lap: 16/56 RUS: 1’37.532, LEC: 1’37.306, HAM: 1’36.931
Dudley
So tyres just coming into the [unclear] window now.
Bozzi
Overtakes Bearman approaching turn 14 Good job, more saving turn seven.
Santi
Hamilton closes on Bearman And you have overtake.
Bozzi
Take care of the tyres.
Santi
And mode FW and boost on the main straight. We are on plan A, think about your tyres.
Bozzi
And you still have overtake.
Lap: 17/56 RUS: 1’36.420, LEC: 1’36.877, HAM: 1’36.697
Dudley
Keeping to the left on the straight between 13 and 14. Debris on this straight. Gap ahead of Leclerc, 2.4 seconds.
Bozzi
Good job seven, keep it up.
Santi
You have overtake.
Bozzi
Debris in front of you, stay left-hand side.
Hamilton
Got no battery
Santi
Debris on the back straight, stay on the left, stay in the left.
Hamilton
Need more power, mate.
Santi
We are on it.
Santi
And use boost on the main straight.
Lap: 18/56 RUS: 1’36.313, LEC: 1’36.599, HAM: 1’37.117
Dudley
2
Leclerc
[Unclear]
Hamilton
Don’t have…
Bozzi
No radio, repeat.
Santi
No overtake.
Leclerc
Lap times?
Santi
And mode race, think about your tyres, watch for turn seven.
Bozzi
Antonelli, 36.5, you did a 36.8.
Hamilton
How’s [unclear] car behind?
Bozzi
Diff mid, minus one.
Santi
Charles one second and a half behind, same pace.
Santi
Green one, position one, when you can. Green one position one. A bit more saving in seven, if you can, a bit more saving in seven.
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Hamilton, second, was now under pressure from Leclerc and Russell.
Lap: 19/56 RUS: 1’36.668, LEC: 1’36.861, HAM: 1’37.103
Dudley
Gap ahead 1.8 ahead of Leclerc.
Bozzi
Antonelli 37.1
Hamilton
How’s behind?
Bozzi
Russell 0.8 with overtake.
Santi
Charles 1.3, 1.3 Charles.
Hamilton
Pace, not gap, pace. Right now my gap behind…
Santi
Interrupts Two tenths slower, two tenths slower than Charles behind.
Hamilton
Okay, where?
Santi
Entry speed at one, but we want to save the tyres, and early entry in seven for tyres, will be long.
Lap: 20/56 RUS: 1’36.617, LEC: 1’36.833, HAM: 1’36.915
Russell
Gap ahead 1.5.
Bozzi
Antonelli 36.8, that was a good lap except turn 11.
Santi
Improve apex speed 16, early entry is suggested. Charles 1.5
Bozzi
No left toggle, turn 11.
Bozzi
Russell 0.6.
Lap: 21/56 RUS: 1’36.663, LEC: 1’36.705, HAM: 1’36.972
Dudley
Leclerc doesn’t have overtake.
Bozzi
This is good, still a long stint, take care of your tyres.
Hamilton
I’m losing time to the car behind.
Dudley
Ahead of Leclerc, 1.1.
Santi
You are just losing out of 16. And we recommend right toggle for 16, right toggle.
Dudley
1.2.
Lap: 22/56 RUS: 1’36.894, LEC: 1’36.643, HAM: 1’37.006
Dudley
Leclerc doesn’t have overtake.
Bozzi
Brake balance plus one, rear locking increasing.
Hamilton
Let me know if the gear I’m using is wrong.
Dudley
Avoid boost presses for this lap.
Santi
Copy.
Dudley
And no de-rate presses. Gap ahead 0.9.
Santi
16 was good and gears are good.
Gap ahead one second and we’re happy to use the buttons on the next lap.
Hamilton
My dash, the gap it’s showing, is to Hadjar [unclear], let me know.
Santi
Understood.
Hamilton
Nowhere else I’m losing?
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Leclerc eventually made a move on Hamilton at turn 14, then appeared to try to box his team mate in at the exit of the corner by not accelerating fully, which allowed Russell to close on them both.
Lap: 23/56 RUS: 1’36.561, LEC: 1’36.813, HAM: 1’37.049
Dudley
Leclerc will have overtake.
Bozzi
And you have overtake.
Dudley
Gap ahead 0.7.
Lap: 24/56 RUS: 1’37.445, LEC: 1’37.277, HAM: 1’38.223
Dudley
Leclerc will have overtake.
Russell
Leclerc passes Hamilton at turn 14 and appears to under-accelerate as he exits the corner What’s Leclerc doing?
Lap: 25/56 RUS: 1’38.063, LEC: 1’37.681, HAM: 1’37.893
Dudley
Lewis will have overtake.
Russell
Leclerc just backed up Lewis in the train.
Lap: 26/56 RUS: 1’37.187, LEC: 1’37.574, HAM: 1’36.739
Dudley
Lewis will have overtake.
Dudley
0.7 ahead.
Russell
They’re just fast in all the right places.No messages for four minutes
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Having closed on the Ferraris, Russell picked off Hamilton on lap 27, then took Leclerc two laps later:
Lap: 28/56 RUS: 1’36.971, LEC: 1’37.076, HAM: 1’37.218
Bozzi
Switch position, yellow.
Santi
You and Russell with overtake. Charles no.
Bozzi
Russell 0.7 with overtake.
Hamilton
I’m shit slow, where am I losing all that pack?
Santi
Coming back to you. Exit turn 10. Exit turn 10.
Lap: 29/56 RUS: 1’36.158, LEC: 1’37.107, HAM: 1’36.771
Dudley
Boost available, early press. Leclerc will have overtake.
Hamilton
My apex is still down. [Unclear]
Dudley
Gap 0.9.Russell passes Leclerc approaching turn 14
Santi
Apex speed turn three, apex speed turn 16.
Santi
You have overtake.
Lap: 30/56 RUS: 1’36.438, LEC: 1’36.797, HAM: 1’36.685
Dudley
Gap one second.
Santi
You have overtake.
Santi
Early entry turn seven for tyres and watch for front locking in turn three.
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Russell took a few laps to shake Leclerc off, leaving the Ferrari drivers to fight between themselves:
Lap: 31/56 RUS: 1’36.207, LEC: 1’36.409, HAM: 1’36.496
Dudley
Leclerc will have overtake.
Santi
And you have overtake.
Dudley
Gap behind one second.
Hamilton
I’m just down on power all the time.
Russell
Gap behind?
Hamilton
Got a lot of understeer.
Dudley
0.9… 0.8… 0.7.
Santi
Understood. Think about your tyres
Hamilton
Do I have overtake?
Santi
Overtake available. Charles as well.
Santi
Only place to improve, entry one, but think about your tyres there.
Hamilton
How much do I need to improve there?
Santi
One tenth and a half.
Santi
And earlier full throttle, out of 12. Earlier full throttle. Overtake available.
Lap: 32/56 RUS: 1’35.977, LEC: 1’36.624, HAM: 1’36.629
Dudley
Leclerc will have overtake, gap 1.1.
Bozzi
25 laps to go.
Santi
Apex speed 16, suggestion higher gear there, try higher gear. Apex speed 16.
Dudley
Kimi 36.1.
Leclerc
Plan C could come into play.
Santi
25 laps to go. You have overtake, Charles don’t.
Bozzi
Copy that.
Lap: 33/56 RUS: 1’36.107, LEC: 1’36.550, HAM: 1’36.496
Dudley
24 laps remaining. Just feedback on tyres please.
Bozzi
Switch position yellow, double yellow turn two.
Hamilton
When I get on the pit straight, I’ve got no power.
Bozzi
Track is clear. Slippery track, turn two debris.
Santi
Understood.
Hamilton
Help me understand that please.
Santi
Yeah, coming back to you.
Hamilton
[Unclear]
Santi
And tyre phase update when you can. Switch position yellow, switch position yellow.
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With Russell gone, Hamilton and Leclerc were left to dispute third place. Leclerc’s error at turn 14 handed Hamilton the position, and though they swapped it once more, Hamilton prevailed:
Lap: 34/56 LEC: 1’36.729, HAM: 1’36.752
Bozzi
Engine braking plus one.
Santi
Double yellow, turn two-three. Double yellow. It’s slippery. Slippery.
Leclerc
Engine braking?
Hamilton
I didn’t see a double yellow.
Bozzi
Yes, please.
Santi
Overtake available, was debris.
Santi
And earlier full throttle out of 12. Stay with him if you can, you’re doing well.
Lap: 35/56 LEC: 1’38.511, HAM: 1’37.337
Bozzi
Hamilton 1.0 with overtake.
Santi
Overtake available.
Bozzi
Slippery track ahead.No messages for several minutes
Hamilton
I have no power, give me something.
Hamilton
[Unclear]. I come out of the last corner I’ve got no power.
Santi
Negative, we are looking into that.
Hamilton
I don’t…
Santi
Exit two, entry three, to improve.
Santi
And for power, this is the most efficient we can have at the minute.Leclerc runs wide at turn 14, Hamilton passes him, then slows early for turn 16
Lap: 38/56 LEC: 1’36.759, HAM: 1’36.876
Santi
Pace is good, keep it up.
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Leclerc may have lost the battle, but in one of his relatively few radio messages he said he had enjoyed it:
Lap: 39/56 LEC: 1’36.993, HAM: 1’38.092
Hamilton
Got a lot of understeer.
Santi
Understood.Leclerc passes Hamilton into turn 14, Hamilton repasses into turn three
Lap: 41/56 LEC: 1’36.840, HAM: 1’36.471
Leclerc
That is actually quite good fun, battle.
Santi
And Charles has overtake.
Hamilton
How many laps?
Santi
15 laps to go when you cross the line.
Lap: 42/56 LEC: 1’36.795, HAM: 1’36.516
Santi
No overtake for Charles, no overtake, keep it up.
Santi
Keep the gap, if you can, 1.3, you are doing a very good job.
Lap: 43/56 LEC: 1’36.584, HAM: 1’36.218
Santi
And we are quicker than Charles everywhere.
Santi
And you are opening the gap, good job.
Lap: 44/56 LEC: 1’36.649, HAM: 1’36.240
Santi
We have three lapped cars ahead, good job on Charles.
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2026 Chinese Grand Prix
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