Top 10 results in Hungary, Belgium, Italy and Russia have helped Williams keep eighth place in the Constructors’ Championship firmly under control and have a fairly comfortable 16-point buffer over closest rival Alfa Romeo.
Williams looks strong to maintain P8 with just five races remaining this season and Russell has taken advantage of the point gap by experimenting with an offensive approach in recent events.
It paid off in the first lap of the United States Grand Prix last weekend as Russell made up six positions at the start despite ultimately lacking the pace to fight for points.
“I think the pressure has been off my shoulders for a while in those first few laps and I’m more confident that I can really attack and get going,” explained Russell. “P20 to P14 was a strong start [in Austin].
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“In this position that we are in this championship now, we have this little buffer that allows me to go out and really push myself to the limit and I am enjoying it, to be honest.
“I’m not a driver who normally makes a lot of mistakes, but I wanted to push myself and that’s why we saw a slip in FP3, we saw a bit of slip in qualifying at Zandvoort.”
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After receiving little reward for his efforts and making some uncharacteristic mistakes, Russell believes his usual, calculated style is best.
“I’m just trying to really go to the limit just to see if there is more to it in the last few races,” said the Briton.
“But I think I sort of reaffirmed my global strategy, ‘You don’t have to drive 100% to get the most out of the car,’ because sometimes you just drive slower.”
Russell says the freedom to push and explore boundaries without the fear of making mistakes comes in part because his future is in order, with a move to Mercedes in 2022.
“It’s just less pressure,” he said. “I think just the fact that we’re relatively comfortable in the constructors’ championship.
“And also on a personal level, since everything has been confirmed for next year, I am personally in a very stable position and can just go out, try new things and not be afraid of making mistakes.
“It’s a similar position to one I found in 2019 when I could go out and just try new things and keep trying to build this toolbox to make it better,” he added.
“To be in this position where I’m not afraid of making mistakes is a satisfying position.”
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