Mercedes suffered a double qualifying blow on the System 1 Monaco Grand Prix that left George Russell writing off the remainder of the weekend.
After Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s “pointless” crash – which introduced out the purple flag on the finish of Q1 – left the Italian down in fifteenth place, Russell then adopted swimsuit, having been pressured to park his stricken W16 within the tunnel.
Mercedes confirmed: “George misplaced energy after hitting a bump popping out of Flip 1 and was unable to restart the automobile after attempting quite a few change modifications. It appears like a possible electrical downside at this stage,” with the Briton serving to Monaco marshals take away his automobile to permit the session to renew.
It means he begins one place forward of Antonelli in 14th however he isn’t assured of a powerful exhibiting on race day.
“Yeah, it was positively the trigger, however it was a bump within the straight,” Russell mentioned, having complained on the radio about hitting that bump when he was struck by the technical difficulty.
“It is a bump that is been there all weekend and a bump that I’ve felt all weekend, however for no matter purpose, on this event, the entire engine switched off after I hit this bump.
“Actually disappointing as a result of we obtained ourselves a bit misplaced this weekend with the set-up and we went again to fundamental, to the quali. From lap one, I felt again within the recreation.
George Russell, Mercedes
Photograph by: Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Pictures through Getty Pictures
“I actually really feel we’d have been within the high 4 at this time. Now, we’re not. It was clicking in Q1. We have been one of many few drivers to not take any new tyres. I did one nook in Q2 and I used to be already nearly two tenths up already, that might have been a lot sufficient to be into Q3 with two units – we had the 2 onerous tyres.
“We had an actual probability this weekend, however now it is up in smoke. Weekend over, so it is fairly deflating.”
The poor efficiency in qualifying comes on the again of a tough race weekend in Imola final day trip, the place Russell completed seventh and Antonelli retired because of a throttle downside.
Antonelli’s woes in Monte Carlo have been of his personal making, nevertheless, as he crashed at Nouvelle Chicane within the remaining seconds of Q1, ruling him out of the remainder of qualifying.
Whereas he rued the incident, the Italian rookie now thinks Mercedes has the possibility to attempt one thing completely different with its technique decisions given the obligatory two-stop rule launched in Monaco this yr.
“I feel it was an pointless mistake as a result of I feel I used to be already by means of by then and it is a disgrace to complete the session like this,” he mentioned.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Photograph by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Pictures
“It is positively tough for the crew, however George could not do something about it. Whereas on my aspect, I did a mistake, so I positively must overview and see what I must do.
“I imply, we’ll attempt one thing with the technique to see if we are able to do one thing, however I simply must reset as a result of it has been two dangerous weekends now in a row. I must reset and are available again stronger.”
Russell may additionally attempt to fluctuate his technique given he’s additionally beginning additional again than anticipated, however he was downbeat when requested what he may make work from the seventh row.
“Nicely, for positive, there’s going to be some loopy methods, however we certified 14th. We most likely ought to have been within the high 5,” he mentioned.
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“There are 10 vehicles between me and the place we must always have been. If individuals are doing loopy issues with the technique, half of these guys will go a technique. The opposite half will go the opposite method. Due to this fact, whichever one we resolve, we’re nonetheless caught behind 5 drivers.”
Pushed on whether or not he might decide to pit early or run late into the race, Russell replied: “As quickly as we all know what tyres groups have began on, if they begin on a C6, they are going for a really early one.
“If everyone begins on a tough tyre, they’re meaning to go longer. So, as quickly as we see what they’re on, we’ll make that selection.”
Images from Monaco GP – Observe & Qualifying
On this article
Mark Mann-Bryans
System 1
George Russell
Mercedes
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