Russell Predicts 'Surprises' from 'Unexpected' Abu Dhabi Rivals
George Russell expects 'surprises' in Abu Dhabi Grand Prix qualifying, citing the unexpectedly strong pace of midfield teams like Haas and Stake. While Mercedes improved to P3 in FP2, Russell noted tight competition from Red Bull and Ferrari and expressed concerns about his team's race pace. He also highlighted the challenges of managing C5 tires in cooling conditions, hinting at a highly competitive and unpredictable qualifying session ahead.
George Russell believes there could be some shock results in qualifying for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, based on the "unexpected" pace of some midfield teams at the Yas Marina Circuit. The Mercedes driver pinpointed Haas and Stake, both of which showed surprisingly strong form during FP1 and FP2, potentially shaking up the established order.
Why it matters:
The final race of the season often brings unexpected twists, and Russell's prediction suggests that the usual front-runners might face tougher competition than anticipated. Strong performances from midfield teams like Haas and Stake could indicate a more competitive grid for the 2026 season and provide a thrilling close to the current one, keeping fans on the edge of their seats.
The Details:
- Unexpected Pace: Haas and Stake demonstrated surprisingly strong form in both FP1 and FP2, catching the attention of front-running drivers.
- Russell's Performance: After being P6 in FP1, Russell improved to P3 in FP2, but Oliver Bearman of Haas was less than half a tenth slower, highlighting the close competition.
- Qualifying Tightness: Russell anticipates a tight qualifying battle involving Mercedes, Red Bull, and Ferrari, with potential dark horses from the midfield.
- Race Pace Concerns: Despite good qualifying pace, Russell admitted Mercedes' race pace "wasn't great," indicating a need for significant review overnight to improve performance for Sunday.
- Tyre Management: Russell acknowledged the difficulty of getting the C5 tires into the optimal operating window in cooling conditions under the lights, which can lead to driver errors.
- Maximum Effort: Russell stated his P3 lap was "strong," suggesting there wasn't much more pace to extract from his car, emphasizing the need for the team to find more performance overnight.
What's next:
As teams head into the critical qualifying session, Mercedes will be working diligently to address their race pace concerns, while Haas and Stake will aim to translate their promising practice form into strong grid positions. The Yas Marina Circuit's unique conditions and the high-grip C5 tires are set to create a challenging and potentially unpredictable qualifying session, setting the stage for an exciting finale.