Russell labels Brazil qualifying damage limitation after chaotic session

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.

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 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.

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