George Russell has raised serious concerns about Sunday’s Sao Paulo Grand Prix after experiencing extremely challenging conditions during qualifying at Interlagos. The Mercedes driver warned that a repeat of Saturday’s heavy downpour during the race could lead to a major accident if the cars stayed on the track, given the lack of visibility and severe aquaplaning on the circuit.
Speaking to the media about the conditions he encountered on Saturday, Russell, who qualified P2 before taking a five-place penalty and dropping to P7, highlighted just how difficult it was for drivers to control their cars in wet conditions.
“Q1 was extremely challenging,” Russell said. “The visibility was zero down the straight into Turn Four. I was wheel-spinning in fifth gear, over 200km/h (120mph), aquaplaning.
“I love driving in the rain here, but at some point, if that was a race, there was no way we should be driving in that because the chances of seeing a really, really horrific incident are very, very high.”
Mercedes Strategy Call Cost George Russell Pole Position
The Briton qualified second behind Lando Norris but was left frustrated after a Mercedes strategy call potentially cost him an opportunity to secure pole position. The team instructed him to back off during his second flying lap at Interlagos in the belief that the heavier rain would take around 60 seconds to reach the circuit, giving him enough time to attempt another clean lap.
However, the weather forecast proved incorrect, as heavier rain arrived much sooner than anticipated and immediately compromised Russell’s next attempt. As a result, he was unable to improve his time and had to settle for a place on the front row.
Russell missed out on pole position to Norris by just 0.204 seconds. However, due to a 5-place grid penalty for a fresh internal combustion engine (ICE) change, he will start the race from P7.
George Russell Admits Mercedes Made the Wrong Call During Qualifying
In a video shared by Mercedes on X, Russell also reflected on the team’s decision that potentially cost him pole position. The 28-year-old admitted that he and the team collectively misjudged the weather conditions, allowing Norris to secure the top spot.
“I was definitely in the fight for pole with Lando,” Russell said. “But collectively we made the wrong call to back off on that second lap. We thought the rain would be around 60 seconds away. It wasn’t — it was right there. I was obviously very upset and frustrated in that moment.
“It kind of sums up the season. But I’m at least pleased that every lap we were doing, we were in the mix. And I can at least sleep easier tonight knowing I’ve not forgotten how to drive, so that’s something.”
With Russell starting the Grand Prix from seventh place, he will look to challenge the leaders for victory, considering the weather conditions are expected to be much the same at Interlagos on Sunday.
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