Russell: Dirty air is causing F1 helmet turbulence problems [Video]

Dirty air has become a talking point this season in the context of how closely drivers can follow other cars.

However, Russell notes that it has also impacted his comfort in the cockpit, having highlighted the issue on team radio in the course of last weekend’s Japanese GP.

“It’s been a bit of a theme this year,” he said when asked by Autosport about the issue.

“But I have had no problem with helmets in practice and qualifying, and then as soon as we get to the race with all the turbulence and cars around there’s lots of buffeting and struggling a bit in this regard.

“The cars are definitely harder to follow recently than they have been in the past.”

In what was an eventful afternoon for the Mercedes driver Russell also referenced a steering vibration during the Suzuka race.

“Yeah, I’m not too sure where that came from,” he noted. “There may be a small flat spot, …