George Russell FUMES at Mercedes as team strategy mix-up sees Brit knocked out in Q1 of Hungarian Grand Prix qualifying – in nightmare return for last year’s pole-sitter
George Russell FUMES at Mercedes as team strategy swap sees Brit knocked out in Q1 of Hungarian Grand Prix qualifying – in nightmarish return for last year’s pole sitter
George Russell is furious with the Mercedes team after being eliminated from Q1 ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix.
The pole-sitter for last year’s Hungarian Grand Prix got stuck in sector three traffic going into the final run of the session on what was a miserable day for the Briton.
Heading into the final lap, about 10 drivers lined up trying to give themselves a final push.
Russell left a large gap to his teammate Lewis Hamilton as replays showed three cars pushing forward and overtaking the Mercedes driver.
The Brit was caught and would eventually ruin the opening sector of his round. Russell did not escape the drop zone quickly, much to the frustration of Toto Wolff and team Mercedes.
George Russell is furious with the Mercedes team after being eliminated from Q1 ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix
The pole sitter for last year’s Hungarian Grand Prix got stuck in sector three traffic going into the final run of the session
He will start Sunday’s race in 18th, with the Brit unhappy with his team.
The Mercedes driver expressed his shock over the team radio: “Don’t tell me we’re out. Guys, I could have gone any minute. I was in all that traffic in sector three!’
Mercedes team boss Wolff slammed his fist after Russell was taken out of Q1.
Speak against Sky Sports F1 of his elimination, Russell said, “We were quick. The car felt great. We were out of sync with everyone the whole session.
“I was overtaken by four cars going into the last corner and starting my lap.
“I was three-tenths behind before I got to Turn 1, the tires were nowhere and it was completely normal for us to slow down and not get through.
‘Very disappointed. We didn’t have to take so many risks. We went out for a lap at the end, one of the few cars to do that.
The car was more than fast enough to get to Q2 and Q3. It’s rare that we make these mistakes. You get what you deserve if you don’t do things right.’
The 25-year-old will start tomorrow’s Hungarian Grand Prix race in 18th place
Toto Wolff, the Mercedes team boss, punched his fist as Russell was taken out of Q1.
Russell’s team-mate, Hamilton, will start tomorrow’s race in pole position after the Mercedes driver took the position from Max Verstappen by 0.003 seconds.
‘Get in, let’s go guys! It feels so good guys,” said Hamilton immediately after stealing pole.
The Hungarian Grand Prix will take place tomorrow at the Hungaroring in Budapest and the race will start at 2 p.m.