Russell rues Mercedes call that cost him Sao Paulo pole

George Russell believes Mercedes gave away a chance to take pole at the São Paulo Grand Prix after asking him to abandon his second Q3 lap as rain intensified at Interlagos. He will start seventh because of a five-place grid penalty, despite qualifying second behind Lando Norris.

Russell was among the frontrunners in the wet session, but the team expected a brief pause in the worsening conditions and told him to back off with Alex Albon ahead. The rain did not let up as anticipated, leaving Russell without another opportunity to complete the lap.

Russell says the team misread the conditions

Russell said the aborted effort had been quick enough to challenge Norris for pole, even though he lost time behind Albon. He described the call as a shared misjudgement by the team and himself, saying they had expected about 60 seconds before the rain returned.

The missed opportunity stung after Russell had fought for the top spot throughout qualifying. He said the performance nonetheless gave him confidence ahead of the race, and reassured him that his driving ability had not deserted him after a difficult season.

Russell also said pole would have meant a great deal, but felt the result reflected a season in which things had not gone his way. His focus, he added, was on helping Mercedes secure the Constructors’ Championship. Readers can follow the race with F1LivePulse’s São Paulo Grand Prix live timing.

Antonelli moves to the front row as Mercedes targets the title

Russell’s penalty moves Kimi Antonelli from third to second on the grid, behind Norris. Mercedes needs three more points than Ferrari this weekend to secure the teams’ title, with Antonelli’s front-row start offering an important opportunity.

Antonelli said the wet conditions were difficult to understand, particularly as it was his first time driving at Interlagos in the rain. He made two significant mistakes in Q3 and finished 0.625 seconds behind Norris, but said the session had provided valuable learning. He is now looking ahead to the race whether conditions remain wet or turn dry.

The qualifying setback adds another chapter to the dynamic between Russell and his teammate. F1LivePulse has also examined Russell’s Mercedes future and the Antonelli question, as the pair head into a weekend with the constructors’ crown at stake.