&

by Autobayng News Team
0 comments
banner
&

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
DudleyOvertake enabled. Careful debris exit turn three.BozziOvertake enabled.SantiOvertake is enabled
DudleyAhead of Leclerc 0.5.Antonelli has overtake behind you.
Lap: 3/56 RUS: 1’37.093, LEC: 1’37.835, HAM: 1’38.234
DudleyLeclerc will have overtake here.
Russell drives past Leclerc on the pit straight
BozziRussell 0.1You have the overtake, you have the overtake.
DudleyDiff 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
DudleyGap ahead of Lewis is 0.9.
Lap: 4/56 RUS: 1’37.462, LEC: 1’37.863, HAM: 1’37.636
DudleyLewis will have overtake.
Russell drives past Hamilton on the pit straight
BozziAnd we need more tyre saving turn seven. Avoid left toggle too many times for engine braking limit.You have the overtake.
RussellGap ahead?Approaching turn 11
And reminder SM [Straight Mode] in the back straight, SM in back straight.
Dudley0.9.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
DudleyGap 1.2. Lewis behind will have overtake.BozziUp to you to manage, but turn seven is fast from our numbers.Tyre update when you can.
DudleyGap 0.7.LeclercCompared to reference or across cars?HamiltonTyres are okay, just no battery.
DudleyNow, one second.BozziBoth sliding overall and across cars.SantiEarly braking, early turn-in in turn 16.
DudleyAre you talking in front or behind?
DudleyAhead, 1.1 behind. Gap was one second behind, Lewis will have overtake.

Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and

George Russell, Mercedes, Shanghai International Circuit, 2026

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
DudleyGap ahead 1.6, behind 1.5.BozziTyre phase update when you can.HamiltonHave I got overtake?
Yes, you have.
SantiSwitch position, yellow.
HamiltonAntonelli and Russell pull away
Hard to keep up with these guys.
SantiIt’s fine, we understood, keep focus on tyres please
Lap: 7/56 RUS: 1’37.383, LEC: 1’37.994, HAM: 1’38.221
DudleySome medium runners.BozziAntonelli 37.2.HamiltonI have no power across the start line.
RussellTalking over him
[Unclear] okay?
SantiUnderstood. No overtake.
Yeah I’ll have a look. Some medium runners complaining of grainingLess push inside, but if you can…
RussellGap 1.5 ahead, 3.4 behind. Turn one at the limit for us now, so we’re happy where we are.HamiltonInterrupts
Car behind?
Behind on overtake!
And no push button, exit 15, is detrimental for power.
HamiltonOkay.
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
BozziYou have overtake.
LeclercMuch more difficult to overtake today, actually.
BozziSwitch position, yellow.
BozziBrake balance plus one, rear locking phase two.
Lap: 9/56 RUS: 1’37.261, LEC: 1’38.130, HAM: 1’38.371
BozziMode FW suggestion.HamiltonGraining starting, left-front.
Leclerc[Unclear]SantiA bit more saving in turn eight. Turn seven was fine. And switch position red.
BozziRadio poor.HamiltonWhat?
Switch position red, earlier braking turn 14, less peak.
HamiltonThey’re just pulling away ahead.
SantiCopy. Entry five, mid two, suggestion, entry five, mid two
Lap: 10/56 RUS: 1’52.779, LEC: 1’52.397, HAM: 1’49.946
DudleySafety Car, Safety Car so box, box. Strat one.LeclercYeah [unclear] the same thing.SantiWe are on plan A, we are on plan A, Charles overtake behind you.
Russell[Unclear] we just stay close on the delta.BozziSwitch position red, switch position red. Yellow turn two for now. And box, Charles, box.SantiFlap update when you can.
DudleyReset diff entry.LeclercSay to Lewis to stay close to his dash, he is slowing down.HamiltonErr… I mean… Front left is definitely dropping.
RussellI’m in the pits.Safety Car, Safety Car. Box, box.
DudleyAffirm.HamiltonYeah, going for plus two.
DudleyJust don’t push the Ferrari back.

Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and

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
DudleySafety Car in this lap.BozziSo the restart will be mode K2, turn 14, and use low gears there.SantiSafety 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.
DudleyJust reminder for the restart, it will be strat seven.
After the restart, Hamilton passes Russell at the exit of turn six
HamiltonI go to K2?
SantiAffirm K2, K2.
The race restarts
Lap: 15/56 RUS: 1’38.910, LEC: 1’37.205, HAM: 1’37.073
DudleyOvertake enabled. Leclerc behind will have overtake.
Leclerc passes Russell approaching turn one
BozziAnd focus on turn seven and eight, that will help later on.SantiHamilton closes on Colapinto
Overtake, we have overtake.
RussellWe got no fucking grip.SantiHamilton passes Colapinto
Well done, and now focus on tyres.

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, Shanghai International Circuit, 2026

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
DudleySo tyres just coming into the [unclear] window now.BozziOvertakes Bearman approaching turn 14
Good job, more saving turn seven.
SantiHamilton closes on Bearman
And you have overtake.
BozziTake care of the tyres.SantiAnd mode FW and boost on the main straight. We are on plan A, think about your tyres.
BozziAnd you still have overtake.
Lap: 17/56 RUS: 1’36.420, LEC: 1’36.877, HAM: 1’36.697
DudleyKeeping to the left on the straight between 13 and 14. Debris on this straight. Gap ahead of Leclerc, 2.4 seconds.BozziGood job seven, keep it up.SantiYou have overtake.
BozziDebris in front of you, stay left-hand side.HamiltonGot no battery
SantiDebris on the back straight, stay on the left, stay in the left.
HamiltonNeed more power, mate.
SantiWe are on it.
SantiAnd use boost on the main straight.
Lap: 18/56 RUS: 1’36.313, LEC: 1’36.599, HAM: 1’37.117
Dudley2Leclerc[Unclear]HamiltonDon’t have…
BozziNo radio, repeat.SantiNo overtake.
LeclercLap times?SantiAnd mode race, think about your tyres, watch for turn seven.
BozziAntonelli, 36.5, you did a 36.8.HamiltonHow’s [unclear] car behind?
BozziDiff mid, minus one.SantiCharles one second and a half behind, same pace.
SantiGreen 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.

Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and

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
DudleyGap ahead 1.8 ahead of Leclerc.BozziAntonelli 37.1HamiltonHow’s behind?
BozziRussell 0.8 with overtake.SantiCharles 1.3, 1.3 Charles.
HamiltonPace, not gap, pace. Right now my gap behind…
SantiInterrupts
Two tenths slower, two tenths slower than Charles behind.
HamiltonOkay, where?
SantiEntry 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
RussellGap ahead 1.5.BozziAntonelli 36.8, that was a good lap except turn 11.SantiImprove apex speed 16, early entry is suggested. Charles 1.5
BozziNo left toggle, turn 11.
BozziRussell 0.6.
Lap: 21/56 RUS: 1’36.663, LEC: 1’36.705, HAM: 1’36.972
DudleyLeclerc doesn’t have overtake.BozziThis is good, still a long stint, take care of your tyres.HamiltonI’m losing time to the car behind.
DudleyAhead of Leclerc, 1.1.SantiYou are just losing out of 16. And we recommend right toggle for 16, right toggle.
Dudley1.2.
Lap: 22/56 RUS: 1’36.894, LEC: 1’36.643, HAM: 1’37.006
DudleyLeclerc doesn’t have overtake.BozziBrake balance plus one, rear locking increasing.HamiltonLet me know if the gear I’m using is wrong.
DudleyAvoid boost presses for this lap.SantiCopy.
DudleyAnd no de-rate presses. Gap ahead 0.9.Santi16 was good and gears are good.
Gap ahead one second and we’re happy to use the buttons on the next lap.HamiltonMy dash, the gap it’s showing, is to Hadjar [unclear], let me know.
SantiUnderstood.
HamiltonNowhere else I’m losing?

Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and

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
DudleyLeclerc will have overtake.BozziAnd you have overtake.
DudleyGap ahead 0.7.
Lap: 24/56 RUS: 1’37.445, LEC: 1’37.277, HAM: 1’38.223
DudleyLeclerc will have overtake.
RussellLeclerc 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
DudleyLewis will have overtake.
RussellLeclerc just backed up Lewis in the train.
Lap: 26/56 RUS: 1’37.187, LEC: 1’37.574, HAM: 1’36.739
DudleyLewis will have overtake.
Dudley0.7 ahead.
RussellThey’re just fast in all the right places.
No messages for four minutes

Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and

George Russell, Charles Leclerc, Shanghai International Circuit, 2026

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
BozziSwitch position, yellow.SantiYou and Russell with overtake. Charles no.
BozziRussell 0.7 with overtake.HamiltonI’m shit slow, where am I losing all that pack?
SantiComing back to you. Exit turn 10. Exit turn 10.
Lap: 29/56 RUS: 1’36.158, LEC: 1’37.107, HAM: 1’36.771
DudleyBoost available, early press. Leclerc will have overtake.HamiltonMy apex is still down. [Unclear]
DudleyGap 0.9.
Russell passes Leclerc approaching turn 14
SantiApex speed turn three, apex speed turn 16.
SantiYou have overtake.
Lap: 30/56 RUS: 1’36.438, LEC: 1’36.797, HAM: 1’36.685
DudleyGap one second.SantiYou have overtake.
SantiEarly entry turn seven for tyres and watch for front locking in turn three.

Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and

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
DudleyLeclerc will have overtake.SantiAnd you have overtake.
DudleyGap behind one second.HamiltonI’m just down on power all the time.
RussellGap behind?HamiltonGot a lot of understeer.
Dudley0.9… 0.8… 0.7.SantiUnderstood. Think about your tyres
HamiltonDo I have overtake?
SantiOvertake available. Charles as well.
SantiOnly place to improve, entry one, but think about your tyres there.
HamiltonHow much do I need to improve there?
SantiOne tenth and a half.
SantiAnd 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
DudleyLeclerc will have overtake, gap 1.1.Bozzi25 laps to go.SantiApex speed 16, suggestion higher gear there, try higher gear. Apex speed 16.
DudleyKimi 36.1.LeclercPlan C could come into play.Santi25 laps to go. You have overtake, Charles don’t.
BozziCopy that.
Lap: 33/56 RUS: 1’36.107, LEC: 1’36.550, HAM: 1’36.496
Dudley24 laps remaining. Just feedback on tyres please.BozziSwitch position yellow, double yellow turn two.HamiltonWhen I get on the pit straight, I’ve got no power.
BozziTrack is clear. Slippery track, turn two debris.SantiUnderstood.
HamiltonHelp me understand that please.
SantiYeah, coming back to you.
Hamilton[Unclear]
SantiAnd tyre phase update when you can. Switch position yellow, switch position yellow.

Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and

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
BozziEngine braking plus one.SantiDouble yellow, turn two-three. Double yellow. It’s slippery. Slippery.
LeclercEngine braking?HamiltonI didn’t see a double yellow.
BozziYes, please.SantiOvertake available, was debris.
SantiAnd 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
BozziHamilton 1.0 with overtake.SantiOvertake available.
BozziSlippery track ahead.
No messages for several minutes
HamiltonI have no power, give me something.
Hamilton[Unclear]. I come out of the last corner I’ve got no power.
SantiNegative, we are looking into that.
HamiltonI don’t…
SantiExit two, entry three, to improve.
SantiAnd 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
SantiPace is good, keep it up.

Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and

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
HamiltonGot a lot of understeer.
SantiUnderstood.
Leclerc passes Hamilton into turn 14, Hamilton repasses into turn three
Lap: 41/56 LEC: 1’36.840, HAM: 1’36.471
LeclercThat is actually quite good fun, battle.SantiAnd Charles has overtake.
HamiltonHow many laps?
Santi15 laps to go when you cross the line.
Lap: 42/56 LEC: 1’36.795, HAM: 1’36.516
SantiNo overtake for Charles, no overtake, keep it up.
SantiKeep 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
SantiAnd we are quicker than Charles everywhere.
SantiAnd you are opening the gap, good job.
Lap: 44/56 LEC: 1’36.649, HAM: 1’36.240
SantiWe have three lapped cars ahead, good job on Charles.

Miss nothing from RaceFans

Get a daily email with all our latest stories – and nothing else. No marketing, no ads. Sign up here:

2026 Chinese Grand Prix

Browse all 2026 Chinese Grand Prix articles

banner

You may also like

Leave a Comment

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Accept Read More

Adblock Detected

Please support us by disabling your AdBlocker extension from your browsers for our website.