Australian Grand Prix qualifying brought "a little happiness" to Mercedes
Mercedes drivers and team representatives were in high spirits after they qualified second and third for the Australian Grand Prix.
George Russell with Max Verstappen in the post-qualifying press conference. (Getty Images/Red Bull Content Pool)
“We needed a little bit of happiness and at least for Saturday, we've got some of that,” said team principal and CEO Toto Wolff.
George Russell will start the grand prix in second after qualifying just under three tenths of a second behind Max Verstappen.
“What a session that was for us!” said Russell.
“The car felt alive today and we weren't expecting that result at all.”
“The lap at the end was right on the limit; I'm a little bit disappointed that we didn't get pole position. But that's one of those things in this sport. Your expectations change so quickly; we probably would have been happy with a top five result yesterday but today the car felt awesome.”
“It goes to show we've got potential still to come.”
“There is a lot of hard work going on back at the factory and here in Melbourne.”
“I'm excited for tomorrow - it's going to be tough against Max, but we're definitely very happy to be lining up P2.”
George Russell is greeted by fans at Albert Park. (Jiri Krenek/Mercedes AMG Petronas)
Lewis Hamilton will line up on the second row after qualifying in third, just under two-tenths behind his teammate.
“This was a totally unexpected result and I'm so happy and grateful for P3.”
“I'm proud of the team.”
“We're all working as hard as we can to get right back up the front, so to be this close to the Red Bull is incredible.”
“Hopefully tomorrow we can give them a bit of a run for their money. And we hope the weather will be good.”
Team principal Toto Wolff admitted that despite the qualifying pace, Mercedes is still not aiming to challenge Red Bull at this stage in the season.
“We'll try to make the best out of it tomorrow. Verstappen is clearly in a league of his own but hopefully we can slot in behind.”
Lewis Hamilton was all smiles on Saturday at the Australian grand prix. (Steve Etherington/Mercedes AMG Petronas)
Trackside engineering director Andrew Shovlin confirmed the team will be targeting Ferrari and Aston Martin during the grand prix on Sunday.
“We're ahead of our own expectations to be starting second and third.”
“Max has shown incredible pace in both races so far. Assuming that carries into tomorrow he'll be able to manage the tyres and build a gap all at the same time.”
“However, our fight at the moment is with Ferrari and Aston and if we can stay ahead of them, we'll be very happy.”
The stage is set for an epic grand prix with lights out at 3pm on Sunday (AEST).
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