Russell blames mis‑judgement for missing São Paulo pole, says season feels ‘not meant to be’
George Russell explained the error that cost him pole at the Brazilian Grand Prix and reflected on a frustrating 2024 campaign.
Mercedes driver George Russell said his disappointment after missing pole for the São Paulo Grand Prix stemmed from a single mis‑judgement on the final flying lap. In a candid interview with Formula 1.com, the Brit explained that he had taken a slightly earlier braking point into Turn 1, which cost him precious tenths of a second and handed the pole to Max Verstappen.
“I went into the corner a little too early, thinking I could carry more speed out of the apex,” Russell told the outlet. “That little error cost me the pole and, honestly, it felt like the season was telling me it wasn’t meant to be.” The comment reflects a broader sense of frustration that has built up over a campaign where Mercedes has struggled to keep pace with Red Bull and Ferrari, leaving the team and its drivers chasing a podium finish rather than a championship fight.
Russell’s pole‑position hopes were further dented by a sub‑optimal tyre choice. The Mercedes driver elected to start on the soft compound, hoping to maximise grip for a single lap, but the tyre warmed slower than expected, forcing him to back‑track and lose time. By the time he completed the lap, Verstappen’s Red Bull was already ahead by 0.12 seconds, a margin that proved insurmountable.
For Indian fans, the Brazilian round will be broadcast live on FanCode with a start time of 2:00 am IST on 10 November. The race will be the penultimate event of the 2024 season, making Russell’s comments particularly poignant as the championship battle tightens. Viewers can also catch post‑race analysis on the same platform, where former drivers will dissect the qualifying session and discuss what the British driver needs to do to revive his title hopes.
Russell’s candid admission underscores the fine margins that separate pole from midfield in modern F1. A split‑second error can shift the narrative of an entire season, and with only two races left, every point will be crucial for both the driver and the team.
Source: Formula1.com