Russell comes with candid admission after 'best of the rest' claim
George Russell will start just behind the two Ferraris, lining up fourth for the Mexican Grand Prix.
"There was only a tenth between me and Oscar in P8, so I'm glad to be on the right side of that tenth”- George Russell
The Mercedes driver snatched a second-row start by just a tenth over those in fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth — the latter being the championship leader, who endured a qualifying session to forget.
"Ferrari have been on pole here for the last few years, they're always very strong here," the Brit said after qualifying.
About Norris's pole: "Lando did an amazing job. So we were best of the rest, and there was only a tenth between me and Oscar in P8, so I'm glad to be on the right side of that tenth.”
Russell believes that starting slightly further back could actually be an advantage at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez — a track famous for its long run from the grid to Turn 1.
"You would still choose to start on pole over any other position, but this is the most challenging circuit of the year to start from pole. You're kind of at the mercy of the pole man. If he stays to the left, the odd numbered starters get a slipstream, he moves to the right, the even numbered starters get the slipstream.”
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Can Verstappen and Piastri fight their way back through the field?
The top three qualifiers in Mexico were asked whether the four-time world champion and the championship leader could join the fight for victory, despite starting from fifth and eighth on the grid respectively.
While the two Ferrari drivers expressed some skepticism — though they admitted a comeback from both is possible — pole-sitter Lando Norris, after a stunning qualifying performance, had no doubts when giving his take.
Here’s what the trio had to say after qualifying.
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