Russell expressed his current state of being in a remarkable groove during the qualifying session. He shared, "My first lap was truly one of the best I've ever accomplished. However, for an unknown reason, I couldn't manage to squeeze out that extra bit of time on the last lap, and Max managed to outpace me." He then focused on the positives, stating, "The car has been performing exceptionally well in the last two weekends, and we're simply enjoying it while we can."

Russell's Qualifying Struggle and Weekend Potential

Qualifying Performance Highlights

Russell detailed his first lap as a standout moment, emphasizing its superiority over previous laps. He explained, "That first lap was a different level. The car felt incredibly responsive, and I was able to push it to its limits. But unfortunately, on the last lap, I just couldn't find that extra edge. It was a bit frustrating, but I'm still proud of what I achieved."He also reflected on his battle with Max, saying, "Max was on fire during the qualifying. He really showed his pace and managed to get the better of me in the end. But it's all part of the competition, and I'll keep working hard to improve."

Weekend Expectations

Russell discussed the tight competition among the teams at the high-speed, physically demanding track. He noted, "Four teams have a legitimate shot at the win this weekend. Red Bull, Mercedes, McLaren, and Ferrari have been almost inseparable throughout the weekend's sessions. It's going to be a tough fight, but we're all ready to go for it."He added, "In the Sprint, McLaren took the lead with Lando Norris handing Piastri the win from the final corner. I found myself unable to overtake the Australian after losing P2 on the first lap, but I stayed close to both papaya cars. I'm hoping we can have a proper race without any team orders getting in the way. It's going to be an exciting battle."