George Russell admitted that he tried to drop a huge hint to Red Bull to request that Max Verstappen give him a tow to mutually help each other in Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix qualifying.
The Mercedes driver looked like he could be in with a chance of shaking up the grid at the Yas Marina Circuit, having gone fastest in Q2.
Russell might have been inadvertently deployed as a king-maker, with Max Verstappen, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri all vying for the world title.
But the Brit ultimately finished fourth after two untidy laps in Q3, with Verstappen taking pole, with Norris second and Piastri third.
Midway through Q3, Russell came over the team radio and made a cryptic request.
“Try and get me behind Verstappen on his in-lap, he’ll probably give me a tow,” he said.
With Verstappen likely needing some third wheel to aid his outside title credentials, Russell would also want to be in need of a tow to help his own chances of securing a good grid slot.
After qualifying, Russell explained exactly what he meant – a dropping of a hint to Red Bull to give them the idea to relay to Verstappen.
“Yeah, well it was more of a hint to Red Bull on their pit wall to sort of consider it,” he told media including Motorsport Week.
When put to him if it could have been something considered earlier in order for it to have been implemented mutually, Russell agreed.
“Yeah, because obviously Max went early in Q3 run one so he kind of was in a position to do that,” he said. “And they obviously need somebody in the mix.”
Russell ‘confident of opportunities’ with F1 title on the line
With the title on the line for the front three, anything could happen, and Russell is not totally out of contention, provided the Mercedes can produce longer runs that are competitive.
Aware that Verstappen needs more than just to win the race, Russell knows that, provided Norris does not snatch the lead at the start, he still has a chance.
“I mean, if we finish Lap 1 in the order we start the race, then definitely,” he explained. “He’s not just going to drive off into the distance and hand Lando an easy podium.
“But everything can change after Lap 1. If Lando makes a good start and gets the lead, the championship’s done and dusted.
“So, we’re not at the pace, but I’m confident there will be opportunities.”
READ MORE – Max Verstappen admits to needing ‘help or luck’ to win F1 title despite Abu Dhabi GP pole
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