"Buzzing" Russell sets sights on Verstappen after sensational front row

Russell, Williams, Belgium — Photo: © LAT Images

Belgian Grand Prix

"Buzzing" Russell sets sights on Verstappen after sensational front row

Russell will start second after a sensational lap

Ewan Gale

Saturday 28 August 2021 17:17

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A "buzzing" George Russell has insisted he will have has his sights set on Max Verstappen on the opening lap of the Belgian Grand Prix after qualifying on the front row at Spa Francorchamps.

The Williams driver was sensational all afternoon in the conditions and looked to be on course for a stunning pole position before Verstappen stole the top spot with the last lap of the session.

The result is the first front-row finish for Williams since the 2017 Italian Grand Prix where Lance Stroll mastered similar conditions at Monza.

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The team demonstrated a tactical masterclass with perfect timing for flying laps and consistently choosing the correct tyres for the conditions through all three sessions.

"I don't know what to say, to be honest," said Russell, who conceded his front-row lap was done on a used set of intermediates. "I thought I would be doing a good job to get out of Q1 after how we got on yesterday.

"Now we are standing here on the front row. I think the guys did an amazing job today, we were always on track at the right time, the car was feeling great and I had so much confidence so on to tomorrow now.

"I think I was in a fortunate position where I had nothing to lose. We were in Q3 which is not the norm for us and we just had to go for it. We saved the full maximum engine mode for the last lap and we just thought let's go for it.

"Buzzing, absolutely buzzing. Tomorrow is the important one and we have to go out there and score some more points."

On aiming for the lead on the long run to Les Combes on lap one, Russell claimed: "That's the plan, that's the plan. If it is there for the taking, we will go for it. Mega!"