“Sh*t show…F*cking hell,” George Russell goes on an angry rant on the team radio after Q1 elimination in the Hungarian GP
George Russell scored his maiden pole at the Hungaroring in 2022.
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George Russell (Credits: The Times)
As the timer ticked away, signaling the end of the session, George Russell’s final run was hampered by traffic. Other drivers behind him were eager to start their laps and passed him, affecting his preparation run. Amid the chaos, McLaren’s Lando Norris and Esteban Ocon‘s Alpine sped past, forcing Russell to compromise his launch.
The 2023 Hungarian Grand Prix qualifying session witnessed an emotional outburst from George Russell, who had been last year’s pole-sitter but found himself eliminated from Q1. The young British driver displayed promise during the first free practice session (FP1) by topping the timesheets amidst challenging weather conditions. However, things took a turn for the worse during the qualifying session.
In a moment of frustration, he vented his feelings over the team radio, exclaiming, “It’s a sh*t show! What was that? Don’t tell me we’re out… Fu*king hell, guys!”
Hungary’s Hungaroring circuit is notoriously difficult for overtaking, making qualifying positions crucial for strong race performance. Russell’s disappointing Q1 exit meant he would have to start the race from a lower position on the grid, posing a significant challenge for him to compete for a podium finish.
A unique weekend format proves to jumble the starting order
The 2023 Hungarian Grand Prix featured a new qualifying format called “Alternative Tyre Allocation.” This format aimed to mix up the running order and required drivers to use mandatory tyre allocations for each of the three qualifying sessions: hard tyres for Q1, medium tyres for Q2, and soft tyres for Q3. The objective behind this new format was to reduce the number of tyres used during qualifying, addressing concerns from teams and tyre suppliers alike.
Meanwhile, Russell’s Mercedes teammate, Lewis Hamilton, bagged his 104th pole after 33 races. Hungary’s track characteristics, with its mix of soft and medium-speed corners, suited the Mercedes team, and they introduced several upgrades to enhance their performance. These upgrades included changes to the front wing endplate dive plane and inboard suspension camber reduction, along with an increased rear wing tip side view cutout.
As the lights go out on race day, George Russell knows he has his work cut out for him. The frustration from the qualifying session was a powerful motivator, and he was determined to make the most of the race. With overtaking opportunities limited, he will have to rely on his skill and strategy to make progress through the field.
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Rohit Bhaskar
(727 Articles Published)