George Russell reveals reason behind losing pole position to Max Verstappen for Qatar GP
George Russell pinpointed the reason behind losing the pole position to Max Verstappen at the Qatar GP despite improved performances.
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Max Verstappen and George Russell (via Motorsport Images)
George Russell showcased a sudden improvement in performance throughout the Qatar GP weekend. The Briton was on pace to win the Qatar sprint race if it wasn’t for McLaren’s masterclass. The 26-year-old could’ve also scored a pole position for the main race. However, Max Verstappen‘s excellent drive in Lusail qualifying prevented Russell from scoring a pole position.
Russell had recently made a bold claim against Max Verstappen regarding the championship contention. The Briton claimed he would’ve won the 2024 title in Verstappen’s RB20 chassis. However, the Dutchman gave the perfect response after snatching the pole position away from the 26-year-old by a gap of just 0.055s.
Regarding the lost pole position in Qatar, George Russell pointed out that he ran too wide and went out on gravel. The Briton believed that this was the reason for not improving pace against Verstappen. Moreover, Russell noted that the lap was ‘hairy’, just two corners before starting the final fast lap. Regardless, the 26-year-old will have a great shot at moving up the pecking order at the Qatar GP.
I ended up going through the gravel [after coming up behind Verstappen], maybe that’s the reason we didn’t improve. It was a hairy one, two corners before we started our lap.
George Russell said in a post-session interview
George Russell: "I ended up going through the gravel [after coming up behind Verstappen], maybe that's the reason we didn't improve. It was a hairy one, two corners before we started our lap."
— Junaid #JB17 (@JunaidSamodien_) November 30, 2024
George Russell ‘surprised’ with Red Bull’s massive turnaround in performance
Max Verstappen struggled throughout the weekend with pace at the Lusail circuit and couldn’t score good points in the Sprint. However, the Dutchman scored a massive turnaround in qualifying that surprised the grid. George Russell reckoned that witnessing the Red Bulls in the top 10 was quite a surprise. Also, the 26-year-old hoped to have a better outing in Qatar rather than botched team orders.
Hopefully we can have a good race rather than this team orders stuff, and it’s a surprise the turn around of Red Bull after yesterday and to have both in the top 10.
George Russell added
George Russell: Hopefully we can have a good race rather than this team orders stuff, and it's a surprise the turn around of Red Bull after yesterday and to have both in the top 10.
— Junaid #JB17 (@JunaidSamodien_) November 30, 2024
Red Bull seems far off in the constructors championship amidst failing performances. However, the team is still mathematically in contention as they will give it their all. Mercedes is also looking extremely strong throughout the weekend as Russell would aim to score consecutive race wins in the 2024 season.
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Aditya Pandya
(1440 Articles Published)