Miami Grand Prix Qualifying Report: Russell Surprised by Competitive Lap Time
In a gripping qualifying session for the Miami Grand Prix, George Russell of Mercedes expressed astonishment at finishing just two-tenths of a second behind pole sitter Max Verstappen. Russell categorized the session as his "worst quali" of the 2025 Formula 1 season.
The process was challenging for Russell, who initially struggled in Q2, finding himself in the elimination zone after his first run on used tires, while teammate Andrea Kimi Antonelli showed considerable pace. However, Russell managed to secure a place in Q3 with a second run on new C5 tires, ultimately qualifying fifth, just 0.01 seconds adrift of McLaren’s Oscar Piastri.
Critically analyzing his performance, Russell remarked, “I’ve been really struggling today, to be honest. This weekend has just not been clicking for me.” He acknowledged that qualifying had previously been a strength, yet the Miami circuit proved difficult, stating, “It felt really bad out there.”
The acquisition of performance, especially from the front tires, appeared to be the root cause of his woes. Russell highlighted the increased tire pressures imposed by Pirelli, suggesting it exacerbated his issues with tire longevity and performance. He noted, "We’re probably the worst of the top four teams in keeping the temperature out of the tires."
Sharing insights on the competitive landscape, he remarked on Antonelli’s impressive performance, saying, “He’s been exceptionally fast, doing an amazing job,” while acknowledging his own struggles in the middle sector of the lap.
The Miami Grand Prix represents a crucial challenge with the unique sprint race format, which may complicate recovery efforts for drivers starting from lower grid positions. Tomorrow’s race may reveal whether Russell can leverage any adjustments to improve his standing and capitalize on lessons learned from qualifying.
