Mercedes’ George Russell qualified in fifth for the 2025 Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix and was surprised how close he was to pole despite lacking “confidence” this race weekend.
The British driver has been on form this season, especially on a Saturday, as he is yet to qualify lower than fifth so far.
However, struggling with the car this weekend, it appeared that record could have been broken.
In the Sprint race, Russell finished fourth after starting the race in fifth, but fast forward to qualifying and the 27-year-old required his second lap to make Q3.
In the final session, his first run was more than six tenths off from pole, but a much improved second attempt left him just 0.181s off from Max Verstappen’s pole lap.
Afterwards, the Silver Arrows driver commented on his difficulties in Miami.
“I’ve been really struggling today to be honest,” he told select media including Motorsport Week.
“This whole weekend has just not been clicking for me.
“Quali has been a real strength of mine this season, but clearly, whatever has been working so well this year for me, quali does not work here in Miami and Kimi [Antonelli] has been doing a great job.
“So, worst quali of the year, but it’s still P5, so it could have been worse.”
Russell admitted he was stunned to be in the mix for pole position, given how off the pace he felt throughout the session.
“I was really surprised to be this close to pole position because it felt really bad out there,” he added.
“I didn’t feel confident in myself and I knew I was not driving anywhere.
“I couldn’t drive to my potential because I didn’t have the confidence.
“So, as I said, it’s days like this, it’s sort of damage limitation.
“P5 was a good result, all things considered.”
Russell: Miami struggles due to ‘the tyres and the driving’
On the other side of the Mercedes garage, Andrea Kimi Antonelli has quick all weekend, becoming the youngest polesitter in F1 after Sprint qualifying.
But the Italian lost out on the first lap, slipping down to fourth, before making contact with Verstappen in the pits.
Antonelli, however, put that race behind him to claim third later on in qualifying, ahead of his team-mate.
Asked if the issue was a set-up problem, Russell explained that the rookie has simply been on it in the US, whilst he struggles to keep the tyres in the window.
“No, I think it’s in the driving – it’s the tyres and the driving,” he replied.
“It’s how you drive [that] always puts the tyres in a slightly different window.
“Clearly, Kimi from lap 1 this weekend has been really on it compared to the whole season.
“He’s been exceptionally fast, doing an amazing job, and for myself, I’ve taken a step backwards.
“So, what’s worked for me for these first five races did not work here in Miami.
“We know with sprint races if you start on the back foot, it’s a bit difficult to turn it around, and that was the case.”
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