Wolff praises Russell for "using all of his experience"in chaotic Spielberg qualifying

Mercedes heads into Sunday’s Austrian Grand Prix with renewed confidence after a dramatic qualifying session that saw George Russell claim pole position and Andrea Kimi Antonelli secure a strong fourth place.

The session was far from straightforward for the team, but Toto Wolff believes both drivers delivered when it mattered most.

Russell’s pole lap — a 1:06.113 — came in chaotic circumstances. After trailing Antonelli through Q1 and Q2, and losing out to the Italian on the first runs in Q3, the Briton produced a superb final effort.

Verstappen’s crash at Turn 10 forced both Mercedes drivers to lift, but Antonelli aborted entirely, believing double yellows were being shown. Russell, recognising it was only a single‑yellow situation, lifted appropriately and then pushed on, converting his momentum into a lap more than two tenths clear of the field.

Wolff was quick to highlight Russell’s composure and precision under pressure: “It wasn’t the most straightforward qualifying session for us with Q1 and Q2 proving quite complicated, so it was important to stay composed and execute cleanly when it mattered,” he said.

“George did an outstanding job today. He has been competitive throughout the weekend and, when it mattered most, produced an outstanding lap using all of his experience; he lifted at the right time, managed the necessary amount, and ultimately maximised the lap when it counted. Sometimes you have to simplify things and just drive, and he did exactly that.”

Wolff also pointed to tyre management — a recurring challenge at the Red Bull Ring — as a decisive factor in Russell’s performance. “He’s also handled the tyre quite well throughout the session, which was key in these conditions.”

Antonelli, meanwhile, continued his upward trajectory with another assured qualifying display. Fastest in Q1 and Q2 and briefly on provisional pole, the Italian looked capable of challenging Russell until the late yellow‑flag interruption. Despite the aborted lap, Wolff emphasised the positives.

“Kimi has also had another positive weekend,” he said. “He showed strong pace from the first laps in practice and has been competitive throughout.

"His final lap in Q3 was compromised by the late yellow flags, but fourth on the grid still gives him every opportunity tomorrow. He continues to gain experience every weekend and has shown once again that he can compete at the very front.”