Russell labels Brazil qualifying damage limitation after chaotic session

21:27, 08 Nov

Updated: 21:46, 08 Nov

bySamson Ero

George Russell described his qualifying outing for the Brazil Grand Prix as damage limitation, following the results recorded by Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton.

“It was almost damage limitation when I look at where Max ended up and where Lewis ended."

- George Russell

The Mercedes driver qualified for the São Paulo race in sixth place, four-tenths off pole sitter Lando Norris. However, Russell, reflecting on his outing and labelling it a strange session, opted for the outlook of damage limitation.

“It was just a very strange session altogether, probably the strangest one of the year, where every single lap felt bad and the tyres felt poor every single lap,” Russell said.

“A very strange part of me feels that it was almost damage limitation when I look at where Max ended up and where Lewis ended up.”

George Russell during the Brazil GP weekend - Photo: Race Pictures

The five-time Grand Prix winner was also two-tenths behind his teammate Kimi Antonelli, who locked out the front row alongside Norris.

For Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, both multiple-time world champions, the Brazil Grand Prix qualifying proved frustrating. Verstappen failed to advance past Q1, while the British driver could only muster a 13th-place starting spot in his Ferrari.

Russell on the reasons behind qualifying struggles

Russell attributed his difficulties to the tyres and track surface but remained cautiously optimistic, suggesting it might be a one-off issue.

He said, “I think it's tyre and surface related. I don't know why. It obviously rained a lot last night. The track was maybe a little bit greasy. But everybody just seemed to be struggling.”

“There were obviously maybe a handful of drivers who were doing a great job consistently. But then a lot of drivers struggled immensely. Even this second, I don't have an answer for it. But I think it's a bit of a one-off,” the Mercedes driver concluded.