VAR “a step in the right direction” for F1 - Russell

On Thursday, the FIA announced an “in-depth reform” including the removal of race director Michael Masi and the introduction of an all-new Virtual Race Control Room - similar to VAR in football.

The Virtual Race Control Room will be positioned away from the circuit to offer the race control team support at F1 weekends, using “modern technological tools”.

Russell is currently head of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association (GPDA) and he confirmed that it spoke to the FIA following Abu Dhabi.

“With the GPDA, we did speak with the FIA but to be fair to them they were incredibly proactive straightaway after Abu Dhabi to find better solutions,” Russell said after the launch of Mercedes’ W13 on Friday. “I think the VAR solution is great and it makes total sense to have further assistance, people analysing live and more input to get a quicker view and decision to be made.

“Times progress, things move on, the way that drivers are exploiting the rulebook is understandable and equally, the FIA needs to do more to compensate that because every team, every driver is always going to look for a way to get the upper hand.”

Despite the FIA’s raft of changes for the upcoming campaign, Russell still feels more can be done, particularly through virtual tools.

“I think it will take some time to really refine but I think it’s definitely a step in the right direction,” he added.

“It’s never enough. It’s always going to need more and I think the VAR and the more things we can do virtually will be beneficial.”