George Russell has revealed that Mercedes is investigating why he is losing speed in a straight line, following a qualifying session for the British Grand Prix where he finished fourth, 0.175 seconds behind pole-sitter Kimi Antonelli.
Qualifying Results and Key Performances
Kimi Antonelli secured pole position for the British Grand Prix with a final lap of 1:28.111, beating Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton. The Italian's Mercedes teammate George Russell completed the second row in fourth, while Red Bull's Isack Hadjar placed fifth and reigning world champion Lando Norris finished sixth.
Antonelli, who also won the Sprint Race earlier on Saturday, built on that momentum to claim his fifth career pole. The British Grand Prix is set to start at 2pm (BST) this afternoon.
Mercedes Investigation into Russell's Performance
After qualifying, Russell told reporters that Mercedes is investigating why he is losing speed in a straight line compared to his teammate. "We are looking into the data to understand the discrepancy," Russell said, according to team sources. The investigation comes as the team seeks to maximize performance at their home race.
Verstappen Frustrated with Red Bull Issues
Elsewhere, Max Verstappen cut a frustrated figure following a difficult Saturday at Silverstone. The Dutchman emphasized in an interview that Red Bull is still battling persistent issues with the car, though he did not specify the exact problems. Verstappen qualified outside the top six, a rare occurrence for the multiple-time champion.
Race Day Expectations
With Antonelli on pole and Leclerc alongside him on the front row, the British Grand Prix promises intense competition. Mercedes will be hoping for a strong result at their home circuit, while Red Bull aims to overcome their ongoing struggles. The race gets underway at 2pm (BST), and fans can expect live updates and reaction from Silverstone throughout the afternoon.
