Russell sees ‘no major cause for concern’ over sizeable Qualifying gap to Antonelli in Miami

George Russell was left to describe his experiences of the Miami International Autodrome as “a real struggle” after another low-key display during Qualifying for the Grand Prix.

Russell is lacking pace relative to Mercedes team mate and championship leader Kimi Antonelli at the Florida venue this weekend, having lapped some four-tenths slower than the Italian teenager in both grid-deciding sessions.

While Antonelli will start Sunday’s race on pole position, adding to his P1 grid slot for the Miami Sprint last year, Russell is set to line up fifth – Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and McLaren’s Lando Norris sitting between them.

Russell had looked set to improve on his final Q3 lap and potentially join Antonelli on the front row of the grid, only to lose out in the final sector and finish a few hundredths behind Norris and Leclerc.

Asked if fifth was the maximum he could achieve in Qualifying, Russell replied: “It’s never the most you can do. I think P3 was on the cards.

“It’s just a track that I’ve always struggled with. Last year Kimi was pole [for the Sprint] and I was P5, today he’s pole and I’m P5.

“It’s not really a major cause for concern, it’s just I know this is a real struggle for me – low grip, really hot temperatures.”

Russell managed to cut Antonelli’s championship lead from nine points to seven in the Sprint race earlier on Saturday, with his team mate suffering a slow start and being penalised for exceeding track limits.

Put to him that a more competitive Red Bull, Ferrari and McLaren could aid his cause on Sunday, by taking the fight to Antonelli, Russell said: “Potentially, but I don’t really know, to be honest. Tomorrow, who knows what the weather will bring. It’ll be interesting.”