Russell relieved that Mercedes is "back near the front of the grid" after tough Monaco weekend
Mercedes driver George Russell has revealed that he is relieved that the Brackley-based outfit is "back near the front of the grid" after tough Monaco weekend.
Following a tough weeked at Monte Carlo, Spain has proved a happy hunting ground for Mercedes so far this weekend. Both George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli made it to Q3 – the Briton with ease, the Italian just about doing enough.
Russell looked strong in Q3, but he had to settle for fourth as reigning champion Max Verstappen delivered an unexpectedly strong final push lap. Although Russell and Verstappen set exactly the same time, the Dutchman will line up third on the grid as he posted his lap earlier that the Mercedes driver.
His team-mate Antonelli only had one set of fresh tyres but put them to good use in grabbing sixth, putting his W16 in between the two Ferraris.
Reflecting on his Saturday at Barcelona, Russell said: "It feels good to be back near the front of the grid today and it is nice to be in this groove again after a tough Monaco Grand Prix. The car felt good today and being with the same lap time as Max (Verstappen) is not surprising.
"Except for Monaco, we’ve been in the top five every single race since the start of the season, and we know we have the pace to challenge our competitors on a Saturday.
"We do know it is still going to be a challenging race with these hot ambient temperatures and a track temperature forecast to be in the low 50°C degrees. Just like Bahrain though, we’ve been able to manage the tyres better when they’re on the hardest end of the Pirelli spectrum. Hopefully that will be the same case tomorrow.
Signing off with a word for his expectations for the race, Russell said: "The McLarens are still the dominant force this weekend and it will be a challenge to fight with them. However, a podium is what we are realistically aiming for, and I do think this is achievable tomorrow.
"I started P4 in this same race last year and ended up in the lead after turn one; I’ll certainly try to replicate that tomorrow," concluded Russell.
