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George Russell says his Williams FW42 "came alive" during qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix, as the Briton stormed to P16 at the end of the session.
Although Russell was knocked out in Q1, the pace was much closer to those in the midfield, with the result being Williams' best qualifying finish of the season.
MORE: Kubica has 'mixed feelings' after first points of 2019
Russell was 1.3 seconds ahead of teammate Robert Kubica at the end of Q1, and is set to start tomorrow's race from 15th on the grid following a penalty for Antonio Giovinazzi.
"It's the best I've ever driven a Williams Formula 1 car," Russell said after the session. "The car really came alive today.
"We felt prior to this weekend that we didn't have the tyres in the perfect window at previous events and decided to take another approach and try different things.
"As I mentioned yesterday, it was a very productive day. These tyres are such tricky things and when you get them working, you're battling with a different beast."
Russell added that the positive result for Williams is a sigh of relief after a tough season up to this point, and commended those working at its factory in Grove to improve the car.
"I felt absolutely great inside the car. Forgetting about the tyres, it really showed the work that the aerodynamics have been doing back at the factory to re-build the issues they've had over the last two years has truly paid off.
"We have seen a big step in performance and the positive thing is we have more of this to come later in the year. So for everyone, it was a massive sigh of relief."
Grand Prix of Belgium
G. Zhou
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Replies (8)
Login to replycalle.itw
Posts: 8,527
It seems like they are onto something. But that difference between Russell and Kubica though...
Kean
Posts: 692
I know, it's a HUGE gap. I believe that it's a combination of Russell being a superstar in the making and Kubica not being up to par. Can you imagine if they still had Stroll in there? I mean a line up of Stroll and Kubica, I think that the qualistats would have been closer to 6-6 instead of 12-0.
ajpennypacker
Posts: 2,475
I'm frankly having a hard time figuring out Russell. I still think that he's another Ocon. But on days like today you wonder if maybe he has superstar potential. That being said, I still think Norris is better
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
@Kean, worst thing is, even with Stroll I think it would be closer to 8-4 or something in Stroll's favour. It isn't that Kubica ain't skilled, I doubt he has lost "it" completely, I'm 90% sure it's down to that arm. And that feels almost worse. :/
I probably agree AJPP, but it's hard to tell since Rus is in a clearly inferior car. Had he at least been at Renault or RP it would've been more fair. And I will repeat myself: Kubica was lucky he was the Williams to get the point back in Hockenheim, because it could've been either one of them as far as I'm concerned.
Kean
Posts: 692
It is difficult to really judge Russell, given that he's driving a Williams. But he did win GP3 and F2 in his rookie seasons, just like Leclerc. @AJ, I actually think that he is another Ocon, but then I rate Ocon really high and I take it that you don't. Ocon won F3 and GP3 in his rookie seasons, and I remember him from F3, really impressive I thought. Then when he was in the Manor next to Wehrlein he looked bleak to say the least. But going up against Perez I thought he was really good, sure they clashed a few times but I lay the blame 50/50 at Ocon's and Perez's feet. Last season he outqualified Perez 16-5 and he had the 2nd largest average timediff in quali to his teammate, only Leclerc beat him on that score but then Leclerc was up against Ericsson, not Perez. Now he needs work on his racecraft, but that comes with maturity (just look at Verstappen). Basically, what I'm saying is Ocon and Russell to me are diamonds in the rough. I agree that Norris is an exciting prospect as well, just as exciting as Russell I think. To outqualify Sainz in his rookie season says alot, but in the races he needs a bit more time to really shine.
Niids
Posts: 43
streamable.com/aitmy I still belive Kubica more than Claire W.
Pistonhead
Posts: 556
Impressive, but a difference in qualifying to doing it in 70 laps - I think he's incredibly mature, listen to him talking, no fluster, no BS, says it straight if perhaps sometimes a little too corporate for me. He's a star in the making for sure. I think we are seeing the end of the line for Kubica - who is going to replace him - maybe Ocon?
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
He is a viable option, so I don't see why not.