George Russell remained composed despite the error that hindered his chance at pole position for the Italian Grand Prix. The British driver qualified sixth at Monza but will start fifth due to Lewis Hamilton’s grid penalty.
Russell’s day could have been more successful if not for a critical miscommunication with his team. Initially performing well on medium tires in qualifying, he intended to use them again for his final run among the top 10 drivers vying for pole position.
However, an oversight led to Russell being provided with soft compound tires instead of the desired medium ones. Expressing his frustration over the radio, Russell later acknowledged his own part in the confusion, emphasizing the need for clearer communication.
Despite the setback, Mercedes achieved a respectable outcome with both their drivers securing the third row on the starting grid. Russell outqualified teammate Kimi Antonelli, who showed improved performance after recent struggles.
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Reflecting on his performance, Antonelli expressed satisfaction with the qualifying result, considering the challenges faced during the session. While acknowledging the potential for better performance, he highlighted the tight competition and the team’s strategic choices affecting their speed advantage, anticipating a challenging race from the sixth position.