Russell 'struggling' for 'confidence' as he looks at 'damage limitation' in Miami

12:27, 04 May

Updated: 14:06, 04 May

byOlly Darcy

Mercedes driver George Russell has acknowledged that he is "struggling" for "confidence" at the Miami Grand Prix, already looking at "damage limitation" for Sunday's Grand Prix.

The Brit has made a super start to the 2025 Formula 1 season, taking three podiums in the first five races of the season to sit on 78 points, putting him P4 in the championship, with Mercedes sitting on 118 points, second behind McLaren in the constructors' standings.

However, around the Miami International Autodrome, that form has disappeared, with the 27-year-old unable to find the pace he has shown continually to start this campaign, only able to qualify P5 in his worst performance of the season, two spots behind teammate Kimi Antonelli.

Russell took P4 in the sprint race but could not improve going into qualifying for Sunday's Grand Prix

Russell says issues around Miami are "in the driving"

"I've been really struggling today, to be honest," Russell admitted in the Miami paddock to several media sources, including GPblog.

"This whole weekend has just not been clicking for me. Quali has been a real strength of mine this season. But clearly, whatever has been working so well this year for me, quali does not work here in Miami. Kimi's been doing a great job. Worst quality of the year, but it's still P5, so it could have been worse."

"I was really surprised to be this close to pole position because it felt really bad out there. I didn't feel confident in myself, and I knew I was not driving anywhere. I couldn't drive to my potential because I didn't have the confidence. So as I said, days like this are sort of damage limitation. P5 was a good result, all things considered," continued a perplexed Russell.

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As Russell mentioned previously, his teammate has not had the same struggles, with Antonelli taking a fine sprint qualifying pole position on Friday, along with his P3 for Sunday's Grand Prix. So, is it a setup issue that is hampering the Brit?

"No, I think it's in the driving," Russell answered bluntly.

"It's the tyres and the driving. How you drive always puts the tyres in a slightly different window. Clearly, Kimi from lap one this weekend has been really on it. Compared to the whole season, he's been exceptionally fast, doing an amazing job.

"For myself, I've taken a step backwards, so what's worked for me for these first five races did not work here in Miami, and we know with sprint races, if you start on the back foot, it's a bit difficult to turn it around, and that was the case," Russell concldued.