George Russell beamed that his Mercedes Formula 1 car “came alive” once the vibration that had blighted him passed as he qualified fifth for the Monaco Grand Prix.
Russell had appeared to be on the backfoot across all three practice hours compared to team-mate Lewis Hamilton, who was up inside the top three in each session.
However, Russell turned the tables when it mattered to secure fifth on the grid, with Hamilton less than a tenth behind as Max Verstappen divided the Mercedes cars.
The Briton was pleased to overcome the vibration that hampered him in practice on his Mercedes W15, but he rued being 0.025s short from gaining two more places.
“Yeah, really pleased,” Russell said. “Yesterday was a really tough day, I wasn’t feeling well and then I had this big vibration on the car.
“So those two things together around Monaco is not what you want. But today I felt much more comfortable, in qualifying the car really came alive.”
“It was just obviously so close to P3 which was obviously very frustrating. Those two grid positions would have been hugely beneficial had we managed to achieve it.”
Mercedes has taken encouragement from the upgrades it has bolted onto its car in recent rounds and the marque has introduced a revised front wing to Monte Carlo.
Russell thinks that his result showcased the new specification part on his car delivered an improvement as he praised the side’s relentless work to accelerate updates.
“The thing I’m most happy about is the team have been working so hard to bring upgrades to the car,” he commented.
“These upgrades are on the car sooner than expected because everyone’s working flat out right now back at the factory to improve the car and the mechanics last night worked flat out to change everything on the front to improve this vibration. So you know there’s huge amounts of effort going in from all angles.
“And I really feel like this result proves that we’re making some progress.”
Although he will line up on the grid with Verstappen’s Red Bull in his mirrors, Russell has insisted that he is fixated on making progress as he targets a podium charge.
“I think we’ve got to believe it [that he can claim a top-three finish], strategy is key,” he stated. “And you need a little bit of fortune on your side.
“You can go long, which is maybe not the ideal strategy, but if there is a Safeti Car or VSC, then it will make a difference.”
Asked whether the start will be vital to his ambitions when Monaco is renowned for seeing limited overtaking action, Russell retorted: “Not necessarily, no.
“I think you need to be fast around the pit stops, keeping the tyres alive to push the throttle pedal down to be quick there.”
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