---
title: "Russell able to ‘push myself’ harder amid Williams points cushion"
canonical: "https://readmotorsport.com/2021/11/01/russell-able-to-push-myself-harder-amid-williams-points-cushion/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Hamilton Lyndon-Griffiths"
section: "F1 News"
published: "2021-11-01T11:31:37Z"
modified: "2021-11-01T11:31:38Z"
---

# Russell able to ‘push myself’ harder amid Williams points cushion

George Russell says Williams’ points advantage over Alfa Romeo in the constructors’ championship has allowed him to “really attack” and “push the limits” in recent races.

Williams has built a 16-point cushion to Alfa after scoring points in four of the last seven races, seeing both cars finish in the top-10 in Hungary and Belgium.

The team’s points total was boosted by Russell’s second place finish at Spa in the abandoned Belgian Grand Prix, leaving it in a comfortable P8 in the standings.

Having helped Williams work its way into this position, Russell said the situation has given him the confidence to “push myself” and take more risks.

“I think the pressure has been sort of lifted off my shoulders for a while now for these first laps,” Russell said, as quoted by Motorsport.com. “And I have more confidence to really attack it and go for it. And P20 to P14 was a strong start for me.

“And I think, in this position now, where we are in the championship, we’ve got this small buffer it’s allowing me to go out there and really push the limits.

“I’m quite enjoying it to be honest. I’m not a driver who usually makes huge amount of mistakes. But I’ve wanted to push myself out there, and we saw an off in FP3, we saw a little off in qualifying in Zandvoort.

“And I’m just trying to really push the limit just to see if there is more in there in these last few races. But I think I’ve been sort of reaffirming my strategy of you don’t need to be driving 110% to get the most out of the car, sometimes you only go slower.”

Russell has already been confirmed as a Mercedes driver for 2022, replacing Alfa Romeo-bound Valtteri Bottas, who departs the Brackley-based outfit after five seasons.

The Briton admits that knowing his future is secure for next year has put him in a position where he’s not afraid to make the odd mistake.

“Just less pressure, I think the fact that we are in a position of relative comfort in the constructors’ championship, and also on a personal level everything was confirmed for next year,” Russell added.

“I’m in a very stable position personally, and just able to go out there and try new things and not afraid to make some mistakes.

“It’s a similar position to one I found myself in 2019 when I can go out there and just try new things and keep trying to build that toolbox to improve, and like I said, being in a position where I’m not scared to make mistakes.”