Russell (Mercedes) stunned by the São Paulo chaos: “Misjudgement!”

Mercedes driver George Russell fell 204 thousandths of a second short of his 13th pole position in the premier class; the 28-year-old Briton had to concede defeat to his compatriot Lando Norris at Interlagos.

So it’s P2 for the eight-time Grand Prix winner, just as it was earlier this season in China, Japan, the Netherlands, Italy and, most recently, Mexico. Currently fourth in the World Championship, he is absolutely livid after a very, very difficult qualifying session at the Autódromo José Carlos Pace in Interlagos, São Paulo.

When his race engineer, Marcus Dudley, told his driver that he was second fastest, the driver lost his temper: “Why did you tell me to ease off the throttle?”

Team principal Toto Wolff stepped in: “George, you’re P2.”

George snapped: “I don’t want to be P2, I want to be P1.”

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The reason behind Dudley’s advice: the engineer wanted Russell to create a gap to the car in front so he’d have a clear run. But there were no further laps because the rain was getting heavier again.

Russell, looking very glum after qualifying: “I was definitely on a pole lap; unfortunately, that was a misjudgement on our part – we need to find out exactly how that could have happened.”

“The rain came; we simply should have finished that final lap. When it came down to it, we weren’t ready.”

“I felt good in the car – strangely enough, more so on a wet track than on a dry one, which I don’t understand at all.”

Things aren’t getting any better for the unlucky driver. He won’t be able to keep P2 – due to the fitting of a new internal combustion engine, his starting position will in all likelihood be P7.