2023-11-26 10:25:04
Impressive performance by GP winner George Russell in qualifying for the World Championship final at the Yas Marina Circuit – fourth fastest time, starting from the second row. In 2023 he only started from further ahead four times – third in Las Vegas, second in Qatar and Singapore, third in Saudi Arabia.
As strong as Russell’s performance was, the winner of the 2022 Sao Paulo GP feels weak: “I’ve been a little out of sorts for the last two weeks, I’m feeling uncomfortable. But strangely, it doesn’t affect my performance in the car. “I only had three hours of sleep last night.”
The 2022 World Cup fourth-place finisher continued: “If someone had offered me fourth place on the grid before the weekend, I would have accepted immediately. But following my best time in the third free practice session, I expected more from the qualification. We were denied the expected step forward that others might take. This is disappointing.”
What does Russell think the Mercedes racing team can do in the World Cup finale? “In terms of racing speed, we are on a par with Ferrari and McLaren.”
Qualifying, Abu Dhabi
01. Max Verstappen (NL), Red Bull Racing, 1:23,445 min
02. Charles Leclerc (MC), Ferrari, 1:23,584
03. Oscar Piastri (AUS), McLaren, 1:23.782
04. George Russell (GB), Mercedes, 1:23,788
05. Lando Norris (GB), McLaren, 1:23.816
06. Yuki Tsunoda (J), AlphaTauri, 1:23,968
07. Fernando Alonso (E), Aston Martin, 1:24.084
08. Nico Hülkenberg (D), Haas, 1:24.108
09. Sergio Pérez (MEX), Red Bull Racing, 1:24.171
10. Pierre Gasly (F), Alpine, 1:24,548
11. Lewis Hamilton (GB), Mercedes, 1:24,359
12. Esteban Ocon (F), Alpine, 1:24,391
13. Lance Stroll (CDN), Aston Martin, 1:24,422
14. Alex Albon (T), Williams, 1:24,439
15. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS), AlphaTauri, 1:24.442
16. Carlos Sainz (E), Ferrari, 1:24.738
17. Kevin Magnussen (DK), Haas, 1:24.764
18. Valtteri Bottas (FIN), Alfa Romeo, 1:24,788
19. Guanyu Zhou (RCH), Alfa Romeo, 1:25,159
20. Logan Sargeant (USA), Williams, no time
1700996213
#George #Russell #hours #sleep
