Formula 1 British GP
Russell explains how he made a "massive step" to reach Q3
George Russell has explained the factors that led to his "massive step" during Formula 1's 2021 British Grand Prix Friday qualifying Q2, which led to a second successive Q3 berth.
Alex Kalinauckas
Edited: Jul 17, 2021, 10:11 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Russell qualified eighth for F1's first sprint qualifying race – the results of which will set the grid for Sunday's grand prix – his best against-the-clock result for Williams after he qualified ninth last time out in Austria.
He had made it through Q1 to continue his streak of escaping the opening segment at every race so far in 2021 but at that stage in proceedings was only ahead of Aston Martin's Lance Stroll in 14th.
But a gain of 0.441 seconds on his sole run in Q2 to set a 1m27.080s got Russell through to Q3, where his single flying lap ended with a time of 1m26.971s and the Briton beating Carlos Sainz and Sebastian Vettel.
Speaking to reporters – including Motorsport.com – in the Silverstone paddock after Friday qualifying, Russell noted that "it's not the first time I've noticed that I improve probably more than I should during a session".
He added: "I think I just like to get an understanding of what the car is doing before then fully knowing how to extract the maximum from it.
"And I guess if you're in a top car that's going to sail through to Q2/Q3 that's exactly the strategy you want.
"But it was really coming towards us. My first lap in Q2 was fine, but nothing great. And then the second lap I made a massive step."
Read Also:
- Hamilton helped by unprecedented F1 sim session on Friday
- British GP: Hamilton beats Verstappen in Friday qualifying
- Verstappen hampered by "weird feeling" with F1 car in qualifying
When asked if that improvement had been down to his efforts alone, Russell outlined a combination of factors that secured his result.
"[It was] everything," he explained. "Getting the tyres in a better window, exactly knowing what we needed to aim for on the out lap, me driving a bit better, very good position with a small slipstream from [Fernando] Alonso ahead.
"And all these things paid in our favour."
Russell had ended the opening practice session last, feeling "lost" and "lacking confidence", and losing his best time to running wide at Copse.
But the 23-year-old said he and Williams pinned their hopes on the changing conditions for a much later qualifying session that usual at Silverstone providing an additional boost for car handling.
"We had a bit of a decision to make after [practice]," said Russell. "Whether we try and improve the car and turn it upside down, or we just stick to our guns and hope the track comes towards us.
"And that's what we did – we stuck to our guns and the track did just come towards us, the tyres came towards us – everything got in a much nicer window.
"I just felt so confident and comfortable out there, which allows me to get that extra tenth or two."
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Grand Prix qualifying results: Hamilton takes first-ever F1 sprint pole
Next article Mercedes' F1 upgrade revealed ahead of British GP
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Alex Kalinauckas
Who is Kimi Antonelli, F1 sprint polesitter at just 18?
Formula 1
Formula 1 May 3, 2025
Who is Kimi Antonelli, F1 sprint polesitter at just 18?
Why Bottas has the edge over Perez in 2026 F1 return race
Formula 1
Formula 1
Japanese GP
Apr 2, 2025
Why Bottas has the edge over Perez in 2026 F1 return race
What if Red Bull solved its second-car problem with a paint job?
Formula 1
Formula 1
Japanese GP
Apr 1, 2025
What if Red Bull solved its second-car problem with a paint job?
More from
George Russell
F1 driver contracts: How long is each driver tied down for?
Formula 1
Formula 1 18 h
F1 driver contracts: How long is each driver tied down for?
George Russell launches karting academy
Formula 1
Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
1 d
George Russell launches karting academy
Latest news
TV ratings released for NASCAR Cup season finale
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Homestead-Miami
6 h
TV ratings released for NASCAR Cup season finale
Chase Elliott's car chief leaves Hendrick for NASCAR Truck crew chief role
NASCAR Truck
NSTR NASCAR Truck
Homestead
6 h
Chase Elliott's car chief leaves Hendrick for NASCAR Truck crew chief role
“I was getting beat up” – How Daniel Ricciardo burned out on ‘humiliating’ F1 return
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1 11 h
“I was getting beat up” – How Daniel Ricciardo burned out on ‘humiliating’ F1 return
Feature
Discover prime content
Top 10 F1 cars of the 1970s
Formula 1
By Kevin Turner
Top 10 F1 cars of the 1970s
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe