Russell’s reveals culprit behind ‘big shock’ SQ2 exit at Spa

George Russell was left reeling after an unexpected elimination in SQ2 during Friday’s Sprint Qualifying at the Belgian Grand Prix, despite a promising showing from Mercedes earlier in the day.

The British driver, who will start Saturday’s Sprint event from 13th, pointed to teammate Kimi Antonelli’s spin in SQ1 as a key factor in his disappointing performance, citing gravel on the track and subsequent car damage as the culprits behind his lackluster pace.

Mercedes had shown strong form in free practice, with Russell posting the fourth-fastest time and rookie Antonelli close behind in sixth, raising hopes for a competitive Sprint Qualifying session at Spa-Francorchamps.

However, the session unraveled quickly for the Silver Arrows. Antonelli’s spin at Stavelot in SQ1 not only ended his own session prematurely, leaving him last on the grid with floor damage, but also had a ripple effect on Russell’s performance in the subsequent SQ2.

Gravel and Damage Derail Russell’s Qualifying

Russell dismissed suggestions that track evolution, with drivers setting faster times after him, was the primary reason for his early exit.

Instead, he pinpointed the gravel scattered across the circuit from Antonelli’s incident as the likely cause of his struggles.

“I don’t think so,” he said when asked about track evolution. “To be honest, we’ve had the pace all day. In Q1, I ran over all that gravel when Kimi went off. For the rest of that lap it felt terrible. The lap after it felt terrible. And then my lap in Q2 felt terrible.

“We saw some damage on the car. We need to see if that’s the reason. Because obviously it’s a big shock to be out in Q2. And obviously the gap was so big. So, yeah, I’m sure there’s a reason for it.”

The impact of Antonelli’s spin was significant enough to prompt a delay in SQ3, as marshals worked to clear the circuit, despite efforts to tidy up between SQ1 and SQ2.

The gravel and suspected damage to Russell’s W16 appeared to compromise its handling, transforming a car that had been competitive in practice into one that struggled to find pace when it mattered most.

When asked whether his setup choice might hinder his prospects in Saturday’s Sprint Race, Russell remained confident in the W16’s underlying performance.

“No, no, because the pace was good in practice,” he said. “The pace was good in Q1. But as I said, as soon as I went through that gravel the car didn’t feel the same since.

“We saw some damage on the car. I’m sure that must be a factor. So, yeah, not ideal. It’s only the Sprint race. I can make some progress tomorrow.”

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With Mercedes now tasked with analyzing the damage and preparing for the Sprint Race, Russell’s focus shifts to recovery.

Spa’s long straights and overtaking opportunities offer a chance to regain positions, but the setback underscores the challenges of managing unexpected incidents in the high-stakes environment of a Sprint weekend.

As Mercedes investigates the root cause of their qualifying woes, Russell remains optimistic about salvaging a strong result in Saturday’s sessions.

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