Russell is feeling the need to comprehend the situation after being eliminated from Q2 at the Austria F1 race. The tight margins of the Red Bull Ring resulted in Russell qualifying in 11th place, as his best Q2 time was invalidated due to crossing track limits in the final corner, a recurring issue during qualifying sessions.
Even without the time penalty, Russell seemed to struggle with his pace, and he is unsure about the reasons behind it. He expressed his disappointment, stating that he couldn’t find the right feel with the car since the beginning of the practice sessions. The condensed nature of the sprint race weekend limited the time available for making adjustments. However, Russell remains optimistic, pointing out that starting from 11th position does not necessarily mean a lost opportunity, as they have achieved good results from further back on the grid in the past.
During practice, the team noticed significant tire degradation, indicating the likelihood of a two-stop race strategy. Russell emphasized the importance of understanding their current struggles, particularly on Saturdays, as they have been facing difficulties. On the other hand, his teammate Lewis Hamilton managed to advance to Q3 and finished fifth, but he acknowledged that the Red Bull Ring has historically been a challenging circuit for Mercedes.
Both drivers will have another chance to improve their positions in the sprint qualifying session on Saturday, which will determine the grid for the main race on Sunday. Hamilton hopes for better performance in sprint qualifying and considers his fifth-place starting position for the race as advantageous. Reflecting on the previous year’s experience starting further back on the grid, Hamilton aims for an improved race on Sunday.
Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff described the team’s performance on Friday as “underwhelming.” Despite introducing car upgrades, both Ferraris and Lando Norris’ McLaren surpassed Hamilton and the Aston Martin cars. Wolff acknowledged the small time gaps between the teams and expressed hopes that their upcoming upgrades for the Silverstone race will have a similar impact, improving their competitiveness against McLaren and Ferrari.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Austria F1 qualifying
Q: What was the reason for Russell’s exit in Austria F1 Q2?
A: Russell’s best Q2 time was deleted because he crossed the track limits in the final corner, which has been a recurring issue during qualifying sessions.
Q: Why did Russell struggle for pace during the qualifying session?
A: Russell mentioned that he hadn’t found the right feel with the car since the beginning of practice, which impacted his pace during qualifying.
Q: What are the team’s thoughts on their performance at the Red Bull Ring?
A: Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff described their Friday performance as underwhelming, as both Ferraris and Lando Norris’ McLaren outperformed Hamilton and the Aston Martin cars.
Q: How does Hamilton feel about the Red Bull Ring circuit?
A: Hamilton acknowledged that the Red Bull Ring has historically not suited their car, which was evident in their performance during the qualifying session.
Q: What are the expectations for the sprint qualifying and the main race?
A: Russell hopes to do better in sprint qualifying, while Hamilton sees his fifth-place starting position as a strong position for the race. They both aim for an improved race performance on Sunday.
Q: What upgrades does Mercedes plan to bring for the Silverstone race?
A: Mercedes plans to introduce upgrades for the Silverstone race and hopes they will have a similar impact to the McLaren and Ferrari upgrades that performed well in Austria.
More about Austria F1 qualifying
- Austria F1 Qualifying Highlights
- Mercedes-AMG F1 Team Official Website
- Red Bull Ring Circuit Information
- F1 Sprint Qualifying Explanation
- Silverstone Circuit Official Website
2 comments
russell needs to figure out what’s happening, car feels off since practice. tough on a sprint race weekend. but don’t lose hope, good results from behind in past races. let’s see the tyre deg & hope for a two-stop. #racinglife
Mercedes disappointed with “underwhelming” performance, man. they thought they’d fight ferraris & astons, but nah. small gaps make a big diff. hope their upgrades at silverstone work like magic! ✨