with videosThe high altitude (more than 2,000 meters) at which racing in Mexico City seems to do the Mercedes good. So good that George Russell and Lewis Hamilton put it in the qualification far outperformed the Ferraris and even got involved in the battle for pole position. Only Max Verstappen was still too fast. “Let’s hope we can race with these guys tomorrow.”
The Mercedes in Mexico suddenly finished 1st and 2nd in the final practice, and then again competed the old-fashioned way in qualifying for the front starting places. In the end, George Russell (P2) and Lewis Hamilton (P3) were three tenths short of Max Verstappen. But: ,,We can take a lot of positive things with us after today. It’s really great for us to be second and third on the grid tomorrow,” said Hamilton after qualifying at Sky Sports. “The car feels really good this weekend.”
“I still had some problems with my bike during Q3, I’m not sure what that was, so it definitely feels like there was still a bit more possible in terms of time,” continues the seven-time world champion. He hasn’t won a single one this year. “Nevertheless, it’s very nice that we are so close again. Everyone at the factory can be very proud of themselves. Now I just hope we can race with these guys tomorrow. We have nothing to lose.”
View the summary of the qualification
Russell: ‘Surprised that I am second’
The biggest attacker of Verstappen even apologized to the team after qualifying. Russell felt that pole position was possible. “I’m very disappointed that I missed this one,” said Russell, who already started at the front in Hungary this year, at Viaplay. “In Q1 I struggled to get into the right rhythm. That made me feel stronger again. and on my last lap I was already on track at the first corner. I thought: this will be it, but one corner later that thought disappeared. Later in the lap I made another mistake. All in all, I’m still surprised that I second stand.”
,,At the same time, there were a number of promising things in this qualifying. We have the car to fight with the rest, we haven’t been more competitive this season. The differences on the straight are smaller. Still, it becomes difficult to be in front of Verstappen at the first corner and then Sergio Pérez also comes from behind. But this is a big opportunity and I’m looking forward to the race.”
Wolff: ‘We are coming’
Toto Wolff also looked back with satisfaction on Saturday’s Mercedes. “We are getting there. In VT3 we were very strong. Then we might lose some again pace, but it’s nice to be at the front again. If we could start on pole, and I would have loved to have seen that, I think Max would have eaten us anyway because he has more power. Starting from P2 and P3 gives us more chances…let’s just see who is first at Turn 1.”
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