Russell left perplexed by Qualifying pace in Sepang as he predicts ‘different story’ in race

George Russell was at a loss to explain what happened to his Qualifying pace in Sepang as the Mercedes driver was left to settle for eighth, which will translate into a seventh-place start thanks to Isack Hadjar’s penalty.

Mercedes conceded that their Friday running ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia had been one of their “toughest” of the season so far, but Russell was still confident he could be in the fight for pole on Saturday.

Given the Briton’s stellar performance in Baku last time out, where he claimed a Grand Slam victory, he was also buoyed by a renewed sense of consistency in his performances and a feeling of being “more at one with the car”.

However, on a weekend where Mercedes brought a significant upgrade package, Russell finds himself down the order after Max Verstappen claimed a decisive pole, while the Briton’s team mate and title rival Kimi Antonelli will start Sunday’s race from third – the Italian sits 66 points ahead of Russell at the top of the drivers’ standings.

“We don't know, in all honesty,” said Russell when asked what happened in Qualifying.

“It's the most demanding circuit on the tyres, so we don't know exactly why we didn't have the pace. I think from Friday it was clear we weren't on the pace of the Red Bulls and then throughout the course of this weekend we just haven't really progressed.

“The others have caught up and overtaken, but I think tomorrow the race is going to be a totally different story. Very high tyre degradation, all three tyre compounds look viable, so I think there will be some opportunities.”

With tyre degradation proving to be the main talking point of the weekend so far, Sunday’s Grand Prix looks like it could be an exciting affair with drivers and teams preparing for a race with plenty of stops.

Throw in the possibility of unpredictable weather and there could be plenty of opportunities for the drivers and teams should they make the right strategy calls, with Russell optimistic he can move up the order.

“I think we can fight for the podium,” he said. “I think I can move forward, but I really don't know. It was a strange one out there today.”