The checkered flag falls on Saturday in Sakhir. In a shocking turn of events, when no one expected it, and when everyone was talking about McLaren’s dominance, the situation flips. George Russell, with a simply perfect and sensational lap, places Mercedes in second, only behind Oscar Piastri in Bahrain GP qualifying. Below are the British driver’s words at the end of the session.
The situation completely changed. After the free practice session, where everyone expected a McLaren 1-2, as the evening approached, the cards were reshuffled: Lando Norris was struggling. George Russell, taking advantage of the situation, put Mercedes just behind McLaren’s number 81, with a 1:30.009, about two-tenths off pole position.
The British driver is having an absolutely sensational start to the season. In both Australia and China, he managed to take the top positions in both qualifying and the race, even finishing on the podium twice, holding off Ferrari. After a slightly underwhelming Suzuka, however, his talent resurfaced in Bahrain.
However, if we look at the race pace shown during the second free practice session yesterday, it’s hard to see how he will be able to battle Oscar Piastri. On the other hand, a beautiful battle with Charles Leclerc, who qualified third, seems likely, and maybe with Kimi Antonelli starting from fourth. But what happened to Mercedes? What was the cause of this incredible performance? George Russell has the answer.
“I thought we’d all be further behind McLaren, not just us but also Ferrari. I didn’t expect at all to end up here, in second place. The gap to close is still quite big, but I think we were helped by the lower temperatures. In FP3, with the heat, there was no battle. Let’s hope for the best tomorrow, but it won’t be easy.” – the British driver concluded at the end of the qualifying session for the Bahrain Grand Prix.
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