FORMULA 1
BOTTAS DENIES RUSSELL AND TAKES POLE FOR THE SAKHIR GRAND PRIX.
First Q3 appearance and a first F1 front-row start for George Russell:
“It has been incredibly intense. So much to learn, getting used to the seat – everything. It felt so different and alien to begin with. It’s just a really different way of driving, to be honest. Unlearning what I learnt at Williams and learning how to drive this car fast.
“I tried a lot of things in FP3 and it didn’t go well at all so, to be honest, I’d have been happy to just get through to Q3!
“Really pleased. We got it all together in the final lap. Obviously gutted to miss out on pole by 20 milliseconds but if you told me last week I’d be qualifying P2 on the grid I wouldn’t have believed you.”
“It wasn’t one of my best qualifyings, but I’m happy it was enough,” says Valtteri Bottas on his fifth pole position of the season and the 16th of his career.
“Strategy-wise we’re in a good place as a team and good to see George locking out the front row as well.”
Mercedes are adamant this weekend’s outing is not a showdown for a future race seat with Toto Wolff insisting Bottas will be in the car next season as too will Hamilton.
Hamilton, however, has yet to commit to the team for 2021 having delayed contract negotiations until after the title was secured.
His positive test has pushed those talks back even further.
A good result from Russell this weekend could see Mercedes considering its options says Horner.