Dramatic Qualifying Session at Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix
In a dramatic qualifying session for the Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix, Mercedes teammates George Russell and Lewis Hamilton found themselves in a confusing moment, tripping over each other in pursuit of a tow from Esteban Ocon’s Alpine. Russell’s frustration was palpable, as he exclaimed over the team radio, “What the **** was Lewis doing prepping that lap?” His engineer responded calmly, “It’s fine we’ll talk about it afterwards, head in the game.”
The incident occurred during the first runs in Q3, with Russell narrowly avoiding a collision with the back of Hamilton’s car. Despite the mishap, Hamilton managed to out-qualify Russell for only the second time this season, as the duo secured the second row for Sunday’s race.
“Lewis was quite a long way ahead of me, but we both had our eyes on the same driver for the slipstream for opening the lap. So I was focusing on my mirrors not to impede Ocon, and next thing I looked up and Lewis was right in front of me trying to take the tow from Ocon.”
– George Russell
Russell downplayed the incident, stating, “In the moment when you’re trying to get everything, you’re a bit hot-headed, but nothing gained, nothing lost.” Despite being out-qualified by his teammate, Russell remained optimistic, citing progress made by Mercedes with its recent upgrades to the W15.
Mercedes Turns a Corner
After securing pole position in Canada last time out, Barcelona presented a stern test for Mercedes to demonstrate its improvements. Russell’s qualifying performance, just three-tenths away from pole position, suggests that the team has indeed turned a corner.
“Well, you never know 100%, but this is for sure the most confident we have been over the last three years of what we’ve brought to the car.”
– George Russell
Russell believes that Mercedes has made significant strides, saying, “It’s natural as well, we’re all gaining experience, and we’re all three years into these regs, and we all know what makes a good race car in this sort of era.” He emphasized that the top four teams are currently closely matched, with marginal differences set to make a big impact on grid positions in upcoming races.
On a personal level, Russell highlighted that the gap to the driver around him has been the smallest it’s been in the last four races, with just two milliseconds separating him from his closest competitor. “I’m taking the positives,” he said. “As a team, we’re in the mix, Lando [Norris] did a really great lap, I don’t think Lewis and I kind of really put it together perfectly, I felt like there was maybe two tenths on the table.”
Russell concluded, “Not the gap we saw to pole, but nevertheless we’re P3, P4, and in a great place to fight for a win tomorrow.” The Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix promises to be an exciting race, with Mercedes well-positioned to challenge for victory.
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