SUZUKA, Japan – George Russell and Kimi Antonelli showed glimpses of strong performance during the final practice session before the Qualifying round at the Suzuka circuit. However, as the competition intensified in Q3, Russell fell just short of securing a spot among the front two rows, finishing a mere 0.019 seconds behind Leclerc. Antonelli, on the other hand, faced difficulties with tire warm-up in Q1 but managed to showcase improvement in Q3, securing his best result of the season.
Russell, finishing in 5th place with a time of 1:27.318, expressed disappointment at not being able to capitalize on the strong showing throughout the weekend. Despite the cold track temperatures affecting the final lap, he remained confident in the team’s pace and potential for podium contention in both wet and dry conditions during the race day.
Antonelli, finishing 6th with a time of 1:27.555, acknowledged the challenges he faced in finding his rhythm leading up to Qualifying. However, with continuous support from the team and advice from fellow drivers, he was able to make progress with each lap and secure a solid position on the grid for the race.
Team representative Bradley Lord noted the mixed feelings following Qualifying, with Russell showcasing strong performance throughout the weekend but facing challenges in the final lap that affected his starting position. Despite this, both Russell and Antonelli were positioned well for the race day, with the potential for rain adding an additional layer of complexity to the race strategy.
Trackside Engineering Director Andrew Shovlin highlighted Russell’s frustration at missing out on a higher grid position due to suboptimal temperatures during the final run. However, the team remained optimistic about their performance potential in both wet and dry conditions for the upcoming race, emphasizing the importance of communication and decision-making in determining the final result.
Overall, the team at Suzuka remained focused on maximizing their performance in the face of changing weather conditions, with Russell and Antonelli poised for a competitive race day that could potentially lead to a podium finish.