During the Azerbaijan Grand Prix at the Baku City Circuit, Mercedes driver George Russell amazed Formula 1 fans with a remarkable pit entry that helped him lose the least time during pit stops in the race. On lap 40, Russell, who was running second at the time, made a quick pitstop after Carlos Sainz of Williams, who had previously held that position, had already pitted.
Russell’s entry into the pitlane was exceptionally fast, and combined with a smooth and efficient stop by the Mercedes crew, it resulted in him spending 19.809 seconds in the pits — 0.699 seconds quicker than Sainz’s 20.508 seconds. This advantage allowed Russell to exit the pits ahead of Sainz and maintain his position for the remainder of the race. Ultimately, four-time world champion Max Verstappen won the race, with Russell finishing in second place and Sainz third.
Fan Reactions Highlight Impressive Performance
Fans took to social media, particularly Reddit, to express their astonishment at Russell’s pit entry and driving skill. One fan posted video footage with the caption “Absolutely diabolical pit entry,” capturing the thrilling moment.
“I read on the official Formula 1 site that George lost the least amount of time in the pits. According to DHL, his pitstop of 2.3s was the 6th fastest. That tells you everything you need to know. Brilliantly executed by both the driver and the pit crew,”
a fan commented, praising the coordination between Russell and his team.
“I said ‘holy cr*p’ out loud when that happened live.”
Another added,
“George has been so impressive this year. He had a few seasons toe-to-toe with Hamilton and matched him but seems to have taken a massive step up this year. Until last year he was pretty mistake prone but I don’t think he’s put a foot wrong this season so far? And stuff like this? Madness. Give that man a WDC capable car and he’s off.”
Additional Support and Admiration from the F1 Community
More fans chimed in to recognize the skill behind the pit entry. One recalled,
Image of: George Russell
“Saw it live and I almost thought he lost it lol, but brilliantly done!”
Another fan shared a moment of anxiety:
“I had my eyes closed and was chanting ‘please be a good stop’ lol. Boys really delivered!!!”
Russell is quickly gaining strong support, with one person stating,
“George is quickly becoming my favourite driver.”
Some fans voiced admiration coupled with concern over his contract situation within Mercedes.
“Without doubt one of the best drivers on the grid, why Toto is p***ing around with his contract I’ll never know? I think he’s the second best driver on the grid,”
one fan wrote. Another responded,
“Yeah, I’d hate to see George leave Mercedes because the team is on point and their cars have been good, but if his contract is really that ass I wouldn’t blame him for leaving.”
Discussions about Russell’s pay also surfaced, with a fan insisting,
“He does deserve to be paid as much as Lando because I genuinely think he is a better driver.”
The Significance of Russell’s Performance and What Lies Ahead
George Russell’s electric pit entry and consistent form this season have strengthened his reputation as one of the sport’s most promising talents. His ability to capitalize on split-second decisions combined with a reliable pit crew is helping him challenge established stars like Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz. With Verstappen securing the win at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix but Russell taking second, his presence on the grid is increasingly felt.
As Russell’s career progresses, his performances raise questions about his future within Mercedes and his potential to compete for a World Drivers’ Championship (WDC). The growing fan enthusiasm and calls for better contract terms reflect his rising status in F1. Fans and experts alike await whether Mercedes will provide Russell with a car capable of securing top titles, or if his trajectory may lead him elsewhere in the highly competitive world of Formula 1.
