Russell is ready for his Mercedes racing debut: 'I have nothing to lose'

For the first time in his still short Formula 1 career, George Russell reached Q3 in qualifying on Saturday and that resulted in a nice second place on the grid for the Sakhir Grand Prix.

Russell feels good in the run-up to the race. "I had a good nights sleep", he says to Formula 1. "Going out to enjoy it because I have nothing to lose." The British driver still looks a bit up to the start. "I am not used to this clutch paddles but staying in the top three and four would be good.”

Russell and his teammate Valtteri Bottas are the only ones to start in the top ten on the medium band. "We're on the better band strategy", Russell says. "It's most likely a two stop.”

During the race Russell expects that he will have to pay close attention to the stragglers. "In theory we should be lapping a number of cars. So, it will be tricky and we need to be aware of what is going on.”