Russell relishing the chance to fight at the front in Qatar

Mercedes driver George Russell was agonisingly close to claiming pole position in Qatar, but he explained that he was more than ready to battle back past Max Verstappen prior to the Red Bull man losing his P1 starting spot after being hit with a penalty.

The Briton continued his magnificent run of form that has characterised his last few races, lining up for his fourth consecutive front-row start in tomorrow’s race around the Lusail International Circuit.

After taking provisional pole, he was pipped to the top spot by just 0.055s following Verstappen’s final flying lap – though he will now end up starting the Grand Prix from P1.

Russell also explained that Mercedes couldn’t “have dreamt of” their resurgence to be repeatedly in the mix at the front of the field after they experienced a clear slump in performance after the summer break.

Pole position qualifier Max Verstappen, Second placed qualifier George Russell and Third placed Lando Norris in parc ferme during qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Qatar on November 30, 2024. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) — Russell qualified in P2 for the second time this weekend

“Feeling in such a groove at the moment, feeling really great,” Russell said after qualifying. “My first lap was one of the best I’ve ever done, and then for whatever reason just couldn’t find that extra bit of time on the last lap and Max pipped me.

“Just taking the positives – the car’s been so great the last two weekends and just enjoying it while we can.”

Four teams could have a shot at the win around the high-speed, physically demanding track as Red Bull, Mercedes, McLaren and Ferrari have been virtually inseparable at points across the weekend’s sessions.

It was McLaren who led the pack in the Sprint, with Lando Norris handing Piastri the win out of the final corner, after Russell found himself unable to overtake the Australian having lost P2 on the first lap, but he consistently stayed close to both papaya cars.

He added: “Hopefully we can have a proper race rather than this team orders stuff! It’s going to be a good race. I think we’ll all be going for it.

LUSAIL CITY, QATAR - NOVEMBER 30: Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes and Great Britain talks to the press during the Sprint ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Qatar at Lusail International Circuit on November 30, 2024 in Qatar. (Photo by Peter Fox/Getty Images) — Russell and Hamilton claimed a superb 1-2 finish last time out in Las Vegas

“It’s actually great that Max is in the mix as well – I was really surprised at their turnaround because they looked really off the pace yesterday, off the pace this morning. Obviously they were both in Q3 and Max on pole so I think we’ve got a good race on our hands.”

Things were also looking up for his Mercedes team mate Lewis Hamilton, who appeared despondent after he spent the Sprint managing a variety of issues in his car, from bouncing and poor balance to general instability.

In a similar situation to Verstappen, the Brackley outfit made changes to the W15 that seemed to have a significant impact on the qualifying performance – Hamilton is set to start the race from P6, sandwiched by the two Ferraris.

He said: “We made some good changes going into qualifying and the car felt really good, just not fast. We have improved the car so I hope… I don’t know what it’s going to be like in race trim, but hopefully better.”