Russell targeting points after stunning qualifying performance

George Russell is targeting breaking his Formula 1 points duck in Sunday's Styrian Grand Prix after ending Williams' long Q2 drought.

For the first time since the 2018 Brazilian Grand Prix, Williams managed to get a car into the second session of qualifying, with Russell claiming 12th spot, although he will start 11th after Ferrari's Charles Leclerc was handed a three-place grid penalty.

"I hope we can at least hold onto it," said Russell. "I think, surprisingly, our straight-line speed looks relatively good. Points are the aim, but we will have to wait and see."

Russell's performance was all the more creditable given the appalling wet conditions that prevailed at the Red Bull Ring, yet the 22-year-old was in his element.

"I loved it," enthused Russell. "It was pretty sketchy a lot of the time at the beginning of Q1, I couldn't see anything up the straight.

"My engineer was telling me that there were cars slowing down, and I was like 'You're going to have to tell me where they are because I can't see anything.'.

"There was no way I would have believed that prior to this weekend, or even if you had told me two weeks ago prior to last weekend. I would have said that Q2 was a stretch, so I really love that."

Williams head of vehicle performance Dave Robson backed Russell's points ambition as he said: "We have made a few changes to the cars since last weekend.

"We are now looking forward to racing hard as we aim to secure a strong top-10 finish."

Before you go...

Vettel adamant he will not quit Ferrari before season end

Analysis: What went into Hamilton's perfect wet pole lap?

Related

More F1 news

Latest F1 news

Max Verstappen claims he's in the F1 jungle after Miami GP

• 12 minutes ago

Max Verstappen F1 penalty points bombshell as FIA told to 'park him' with race ban

• 52 minutes ago

George Russell Mercedes contract clause is ‘messing with his mind’

• 1 hour ago

Lewis Hamilton merely 'surviving' at Ferrari as F1 legend hit by chronic issue

• 2 hours ago

F1 News Today: Lewis Hamilton announces instant Ferrari change as champion sets out retirement terms

• 3 hours ago

Alexandra Leclerc shuts down online hater with beautiful response

• Today 06:30