Mercedes: Russell Bounces Back and Beats Antonelli: “I’m Back to My Old Self”

Mercedes driver George Russell is visibly pleased after qualifying for the Catalan Grand Prix, where he secured pole position ahead of Lewis Hamilton and his teammate and championship leader Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who had to settle for third place, three-tenths of a second behind the Briton.

“It’s been a great weekend so far; I feel like I’m back to my old self. Getting pole after the last few races is important; I wiped the slate clean, and it’s fantastic to achieve this result,” Russell said at the end of the official practice sessions.

The Englishman has high hopes for Sunday’s race: “It was amazing. Lewis did a fantastic job; I’m sure it will be a great battle with him and Kimi. I feel ready.”

“We expected to challenge the McLarens in qualifying, but then Lewis came along and surprised us all,” Russell admitted. “In the last three races, we made some wrong decisions. Now I feel at one with the car again,” he concluded.