George Russell has revealed that he had issues with the steering of his Mercedes throughout qualifying for the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
The British rider was on observe for a second consecutive pole place in Sin Metropolis after taking the lead in ultimate observe and setting the tempo in moist circumstances in each Q1 and Q2.
Russell’s Mercedes suffered steering issues in the direction of the tip of qualifying, and he ended up ending simply eight tenths of a second behind fourth place, with the five-time Grand Prix winner lamenting it was a “missed alternative”.
“We had some issues with the steering in Q3,” Russell defined. “I do not know what it was. It appeared like an influence steering downside.
“Clearly it was actually disappointing. I used to be third and quickest, quickest in Q1, quickest in Q2, however on the second lap I assumed I needed to cease the automotive on the observe as a result of I could not flip the steering correctly.”
“So, I do not know what it was. Contemplating that, I feel we have been fortunate to qualify for P4. However in fact it appears like a missed alternative.”
Qualifying nightmare for Antonelli
Antonelli retires early in qualifying
Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli endured a troublesome qualifying and was eradicated from Q1 with solely a time of seventeenth on the grid.
This was a blow to the 19-year-old Italian, who has been on a roll currently and claimed his first Grand Prix podium on the final race in Brazil.
“It was very slippery,” Antonelli stated. “The final lap was adequate for me to be within the prime 5, so I gave myself a margin on the final braking to keep away from any unhealthy surprises, however I nonetheless ended up locking up, dropping a lap and getting knocked out.
“I feel I used to be fifth two laps in the past after which I used to be seventeenth, which is clearly very irritating.”
Nevertheless, the F1 rookie insisted the setback had not dented his confidence.
“We have been sturdy all weekend and we have been very quick in each session, even Inter this morning, so it would not damage our confidence,” he harassed.
“Clearly we nonetheless have good momentum, so we simply must have a great race tomorrow and concentrate on the subsequent race.”
