Russell baffled by his own dazzling qualifying form

George Russell has conceded he is at a loss to understand why his performances in qualifying this season have dazzled despite possessing only "the ninth quickest car" in F1.

In the Austrian and British Grands Prix, in particular, Russell has managed to qualify in the top 10 on both occasions, doing so for the first time in his two and a half years with Williams.

Even prior to those heroics this season, Russell has regularly attained a place in Q2, only to fall away during the race as he recognises the pace of his car is lacking.

"I don't know how we keep managing to qualify so high," said Russell. "We still, on paper, have the ninth quickest car in every single session except qualifying.

"FP1, two, three and the race we're the ninth quickest but then come qualifying we manage to put the car inside the top 10 or top 12."

Russell insists he and Williams are "not focusing on qualifying" but instead "focusing everything on the race".

" I don't know if we improve or the others make mistakes," added Russell. "When it's one single lap and the pressure is on, a one-tenth [of a second] or two-tenths mistake makes a difference.

"Whereas in a race you get into a groove, a rhythm, you find the limit over the course of a few laps and you can make hay with that.

"We just seem to do a really good job with the procedures, getting everything right, with the tyres in the window, right place on the track, I feel confident in the car in that situation.

"Between us all, we do a better job than most."

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