There were contrasting emotions at the Mercedes team after Sprint Qualifying in Qatar, with George Russell thrilled by his strong drive to P2 on the grid while Lewis Hamilton was downbeat after feeling he was “just slow” in P7.

Off the back of his victory last time out in Las Vegas, Russell looked to have carried this form over to the Lusail International Circuit. The Briton had a good session throughout, culminating in him disrupting a potential McLaren front row lockout by snatching second place in the final moments of SQ3, meaning he will start alongside pole-sitter Lando Norris for the Sprint.

READ MORE: Norris storms to impressive Sprint Qualifying pole in Qatar ahead of Russell and Piastri

A smiling Russell explained afterwards: “[I] felt really strong all session. The car was really great and this circuit is really one of the best, when you get in the groove and that rhythm.

“It’s so fast, I went flat through the high-speed for the first time on my final lap in Q3 and confused the engine a little bit. I don’t know how much I lost, but I had a big recharge on the exit of the corner because I went through it flat, way too technical for this interview!

“But that was a bit annoying, when it’s like… I just nailed it and then I lost a load of the speed on the exit, but I think Lando was just a smidge out of reach.”