Russell ready to challenge Verstappen in Canada GP
Red Bull Racing/Red Bull Content Pool
Pole position confidence: Russell seeks Mercedes’ first win since 2022 in Montreal.
MONTREAL, Canada -- George Russell is brimming with confidence as he aims to fend off Max Verstappen and clinch Mercedes' first victory since 2022 at Sunday's Canadian Grand Prix.
In a thrilling qualifying session on Saturday, Russell and Verstappen recorded identical lap times. However, Russell will start in front of the Red Bull driver due to setting his time earlier in the session.
This result marks Mercedes' first pole position since Lewis Hamilton's performance at last year's Hungarian Grand Prix. A win for Russell would be the team's first triumph since he secured his maiden victory in Brazil in 2022.
When asked about the possibility of beating Verstappen to victory on race day, Russell was optimistic: "Why not? Of course, let's go for it!
"I think the car has been feeling amazing. Since we brought some upgrades to Monaco, we've sort of really been in that fight now. So, we're going for it tomorrow."
Mercedes introduced a new front wing at the Monaco Grand Prix, part of a series of upgrades that have been gradually implemented over the last four races. These improvements have notably addressed some of the mid-corner instability that both Russell and Hamilton have been grappling with since the beginning of the season.
"It always feels better when your name's towards the top of the timesheets, to be honest," Russell added. "But it's just turning really nicely through the corners.
"I think we struggled a lot with understeer before. Last year, we had a lot of oversteer and we've sort of been just trying to find the halfway house between what we had last year and what we had this year.
"And it feels like we're sort of dialing in that sweet spot right now. So it feels like something we've been saying for a long time, in all honesty.
"But you know, just really a sense of relief to actually see it translate into a pole position."
Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton will start the Canadian Grand Prix from seventh on the grid after qualifying 0.28 seconds behind Russell. The seven-time world champion expressed his disappointment over the loss of grip he experienced during the crucial moments of qualifying.
"The car's been feeling great throughout the weekend," Hamilton said. "Obviously, congrats to George.
"We had plenty of pace, obviously, through FP3 and then as soon as qualifying started, it just disappeared. The grip wasn't there."
As the race approaches, all eyes will be on Russell as he attempts to secure a milestone victory for Mercedes and himself, while Hamilton looks to recover and make his way up the grid.
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