Williams F1 pitstops proving "we're not a bunch of idiots" - Russell

Williams has been at the back of the field throughout the year, but it has produced the three quickest pitstops achieved by any team in 2019 - including a 1.97-second effort for Robert Kubica at the French Grand Prix last weekend.

Rookie driver Russell said that pitstop performance underlines the quality Williams still has.

"Obviously a Formula 1 team is a huge structure and the fact is that every single person who comes to the racetrack, whether it's for Williams, Mercedes or whoever - their job is to maximise what they're given," said Russell, when asked by Autosport about the pitstop pace.

"They're not the designers or the aerodynamicists, so regardless of whether you're fighting for first position or last position they still have the motivation to show that they're the best on the grid.

"Definitely for the mechanics, it could be easy for them to sit back and think that we're not racing for anything, but it's important to show that we're not a bunch of idiots even though it's not going well at the moment.

"There's a reason it's not going well at the moment. There's been a big philosophy change from last year and quite often you have to take three steps back to make one step forward.

"We're still in the steps backwards phase but we are trying to make the steps forward.

"The positive thing for us, and what's also motivating for myself and the team at the track, is that the team have a long-term vision.

"It's all well and good looking short-term and trying to get the results here and now, but if it means you're going to be in a difficult position next year or years down the line...

"You need to build those foundations to sustain a good level. That's what we're in the process of doing."

Kubica agreed that the pitstop performance was a boost and said if he was a pitcrew member such achievements "would be a kind of satisfaction", but admitted it was only a small piece of encouragement.

"For sure it's something positive and we can publish something positive as well," he said.

"But when you finish three minutes behind...

"Racing is about finishing the race as fast as you can. The pitstop is one of the processes where you have to be good.

"When you are so behind, at least we have something which is positive, which is good. But we have to work on other stuff."