
George Russell aims for the title, Ferrari compact on Vasseur and the return of Max Verstappen in Malaysia
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The Malaysian Grand Prix in Sepang returns to the Formula 1 calendar, replacing the Bahrain GP. The last edition of the Malaysian race dates back to 2017.
The last time Sepang was raced, in 2017, George Russell wasn't there: he would only arrive in Formula 1 two years later. But on the eve of the race weekend in Malaysia - which replaces the Bahrain Grand Prix - the English driver is the most optimistic in the paddock. Having recovered 15 points in the fight for the title over teammate Kimi Antonelli (now at +66), he appears confident about the rest of the World Championship: "I finally feel like I can fight for victory every week. Of course, the gap in the championship is notable, but we're only two thirds of the way there: there's still a third of the season to go and a lot of things can still happen."
We don't look at the current gaps but rather at the improvements compared to last year at Ferrari, where both drivers defend team principal Fred Vasseur with a sword. "Fred is a fantastic leader - says Lewis Hamilton - and he has all the necessary support. He has contributed to many changes this year and took us to second place in the constructors' championship. In this team there is always particular attention towards those who occupy his role, but it is not a job that you do alone: there are people above him".
Charles Leclerc also echoes him: "We are all trying to give our best, Fred first and foremost, pushing ourselves to the limit - says the Monegasque -. I think his best quality is people management, which is exactly what you have to excel at when you are the team principal. There has never been the slightest doubt about the fact that he has the trust of each of us". Then, a polemical note: "For some reason, every three or four years absurd rumors circulate around the team, it's not easy and I don't think it's even respectful. By definition, when there are these rumors you end up wasting time."
World Championship leader Antonelli looks to the weekend with hope in the updates brought by Mercedes: "The new changes should guarantee greater grip and more aerodynamic load, I can't wait to be on the track - confesses the 20-year-old from Bologna, fresh from what he defined as the 'worst weekend of the season -. In Baku I learned a lot, trying to drive below the limit and without risks: it was very strange but positive, I understood that I must always be at 100%'.
Max Verstappen, the last winner in Malaysia in 2017, returns to Sepang with a smile on his face: "I arrived at the paddock and I had no idea where I had to go" jokes the Red Bull driver, who then becomes serious: "At the moment we are conquering several podiums, but I want to win: as long as I win one, it will already be nice". Fernando Alonso renewed his contract with Aston Martin this week, at the age of 45: "When I took the sabbatical, I didn't feel comfortable watching the races from the sofa - reveals the winner of two world championships -. Thinking about having to do it again next year, I said to myself 'there's no talking about it'". The old champion's desire to have fun and get involved shows no sign of waning.

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