Whereas delighted to have cut up the 2 McLarens in qualifying on the Chinese language Grand Prix, George Russell believes it will likely be a tall order to get the higher of each within the race.
Oscar Piastri secured the primary grand prix pole place of his profession on Saturday, beating teammate Lando Norris who was provisionally second in Q3. Russell then secured a entrance row begin along with his closing try and admits the lap shocked him after struggling to get his tires in the fitting working window.
“It feels unbelievable, to be trustworthy,” Russell stated. “It was one of many hardest quali classes I’ve performed in an extended, very long time and I used to be making an attempt all types with my preparation, with the tires, and nothing gave the impression to be clicking. We did one thing completely totally different on that final lap and it simply all got here alive and the lap was superior. Simply so, so completely satisfied to be P2.
“I used to be going quick on the out lap, sluggish on the out lap, prepping the out lap… and the final one was a little bit of a roll of the cube. Had an enormous second at Flip 1, however it simply all got here collectively and I used to be actually shocked after I crossed the road. I knew it was a very good lap, however to see that I used to be between the McLarens! Simply buzzing and searching ahead to tomorrow.”
Though Russell will solely have one automobile in entrance of him on the grid, and Lewis Hamilton received the Dash as Piastri might solely end second, the Mercedes driver is anxious he received’t have the tempo to combat with McLaren.
“It’s going to be robust. I believe the medium tire within the Dash was actually troublesome. I believe most drivers will begin on that on the entrance of the sector tomorrow, after which the exhausting, nobody’s run all weekend.
“So no one is aware of proper now if it’s going to be a one- or a two-stop. We all know that McLaren are going to be fast, however we’ll be doing every part to attempt to keep the place we’re or attempt to leap forward of them. Needs to be numerous enjoyable.
“I believe [beating McLaren] can be a little bit of a stretch. It was a extremely troublesome race this morning. I do suppose they’re nonetheless a step forward of everyone. Ferrari have been an actual shock within the Dash, however tomorrow’s a distinct sport. And we’ve acquired the exhausting tire no one’s run but so I anticipate a barely totally different consequence.”
