‘He’s been flawless’ says Russell insisting he will fight for the championship

Mercedes’ George Russell has praised Kimi Antonelli’s performance despite the championship leader’s crash in qualifying at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, insisting he will ‘keep on fighting’ for the title.

Feature image credit: Mercedes F1

Russell has taken his 12th pole position of his career at the Baku City Circuit, in Azerbaijan, and will start 15 places ahead of his championship-leading teammate, Antonelli. A mistake which Russell will look to benefit from in his fight for the world drivers championship.

Antonelli will start in 16th as a result of him making a mistake in Q1. During his timed lap of the opening third of qualifying, the Italian clipped the inside barrier on the apex of turn one, resulting in terminal damage to his front-left suspension.

The championship leader was forced to stop out on track, but had secured a quick enough time to progress to Q2. However, he was unable to take part as a result of his retirement from the session.

Following qualifying, Russell has praised his championship-leading teammate, claiming the young Italian has been ‘flawless’ all season. Speaking at the FIA press conference after qualifying for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Russell said:

“I think the performance outside today was great, but, you know, he’s been flawless this whole season. I think when you look at every championship campaign, even for the winners, there are mistakes along the way.

“On the flip side, when you’re on the back foot, you start losing that confidence and then you start pushing the limits more, and that’s when mistakes happen. But, as I said, he’s been flawless this season. It’s the first mistake he’s made in a qualifying or race this whole year.”

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However, Russell has clamped back down on his stance of the championship, insisting he will continue to believe and fight for the title until its mathematically impossible.

According to the Briton, he does not feel under pressure rather excitement when he jumps into the car, as he feels more confident in himself. He said:

“So, yeah, I still keep on believing and keep on fighting until it isn’t possible anymore. But I don’t feel any pressure. I feel excitement every time I jump in the car now, purely because I feel more confident in myself. And we spoke about it on Wednesday here: when that confidence starts to build, it’s just like this upward cycle.”

In terms of the championship fight, regardless of the result, Antonelli will remain as the points-leader as the 20-year-old holds a hefty 81-point lead over his closest rival, Russell – a three-race advantage. However, with the difference of starting positions, it will give Russell the best chance to reduce the deficit.

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Kamron Kent

Hi, I’m Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion.

I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I’ve loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.

Kamron Kent

Hi, I'm Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion. I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I've loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.