George Russell admits that he was surprised to protect the pole position in the Singapore Grand Prix after struggling early in the weekend, but is wary of Max Verstappen’s threat in the beginning.
McLaren was expected to return to Singapore, but it was Mercedes who set the pace in qualifying, with Russell completing two impressive laps, both of which were good enough for the pole position. That was despite a crash in FP2 on Friday, and Russell says he had to work hard to find the show he needed on Saturday.
- Qualification report: Russell Randen Verstappen for Singapore GP pole
“Great to be in the pole position,” said Russell. “Yesterday was a very challenging day for many different reasons, but it’s good to come back and get a good result today. Of course there is a long, sweaty race tomorrow, but I knew there was potential in the car.
“If [Antonelli] It was great work all weekend and I actually won a lot by seeing where he was able to do yesterday afternoon. So very happy to be on pole – it was great.
“Some weekends that you just run a little earlier on the floor. Other times you don’t do. I found pretty strange this weekend. The grip has been really high from the asphalt, but the cars are pretty sliding. It feels a bit thinking of Miami, where it is really high grip but the car is sliding.
“I just didn’t have much faith in myself, and the crash brought me clearly yesterday. But I always remember a bit, it doesn’t matter what happens on Friday. It is Q3 when it counts.”
Russell admits that he predicted a strong McLaren on his way to the race weekend, instead of securing a start in the front row next to title Outsider Verstappen.
“We know that the McLarens are usually exceptionally good on their ties in the hot circumstances. I think we have all been a bit surprised about their kind of lack of pace this weekend. We probably all expected them to walk away with it, and we certainly did not expect them to be in the fight for pole position.
“So it is not sure that I will go in tomorrow. I am the only driver who has not done a long term, so that does not play in my favor. But catching up is of course a challenge here. Races have recently been a one-stop, but now with the speed limit of 80 km/h in the Pitlane, it probably brings it closer to a two now.
“Singapore has not been the friendliest for me in the past, and that is my own most of the time done. So I will not be taken away with this pole position. Of course it is the best place to start. There is a good advantage of the polar side here, so I would like to think that I can keep the lead in turn 1, but this guy on my left left [Verstappen] Is pretty good at Race Start and to send it inside. So I will keep an eye on. “
#Russell #focuses #Verstappen #Surprise #Pole #Racer