George Russell defined the tough qualifying session that left him solely sixth on the grid for the Madrid Grand Prix, whereas Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli will begin from the entrance row alongside Lando Norris.
The British driver endured a tough qualifying session, as soon as once more dropping out to the championship chief within the intra-team battle. Russell completed three tenths adrift, a margin that proved sufficient to depart him beginning at present’s race from the third row alongside Charles Leclerc.
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In direction of the closing phases of qualifying, Russell additionally clipped the wall together with his tyres, though thankfully for the Briton the contact had no penalties.
Talking to GPblog and different media after the session, Russell admitted he was initially involved by the affect however rapidly realised the automotive was high-quality. He remained in rivalry afterwards and was round three tenths up on his remaining lap earlier than pushing too onerous at Flip 11, which price him the lap time he had gained.
Picture: Race Photos
“I used to be barely involved in within the second, however the automotive was high-quality. I went out on high of session afterwards after which felt within the combine thereafter, however simply final lap. That is about three tenths up. Tried pushing onerous and switch 11. The tires can take it after which misplaced all of the lap time thereafter.”
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Russell additionally highlighted the weird traits of the Madring floor, describing it as significantly difficult. Regardless of the excessive degree of grip obtainable, he defined that the tyres are nonetheless sliding significantly, making the behaviour of the automotive tough to totally perceive.
“It is actually difficult. It is a it is a unusual floor. It is it’s totally excessive grip, but the tires are sliding rather a lot. So I do not actually actually know.”
The Mercedes driver additionally pointed to the shortage of clear overtaking alternatives as his major frustration with the circuit design. Russell believes an extended straight ought to ideally lead into a real passing alternative, whereas Madrid’s longest straight feeds into the tight roundabout part, probably making overtaking harder.
“One small frustration within the design is simply the shortage of clear overtaking alternatives. On each observe on the finish of the lengthy straight, you want a transparent alternative to overhaul and the longest straight right here goes into that tight roundabout part. In order that’s most likely the one factor my want was to do.”
