Formula 1

Russell 'buzzing' as Williams urge Mercedes to sign him afer P2 in Spa quali

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George Russell was left "buzzing" after his second Formula 1 front row start and first with Williams at the Belgian Grand Prix.

As the rain fell at Spa-Francorchamps, the Grove-based team's gamble on a wet setup paid off as the Briton and teammate Nicholas Latifi impressed in Q1.

While a drying track meant the Canadian was eliminated in a still strong P12, Russell managed to secure a third Q3 appearance in four races before the rain returned again.

Opting for intermediates, George smashed the initial benchmark set by Lewis Hamilton and was just denied a first F1 pole by Max Verstappen, meaning he will line up P2 on the grid.

"I don't know what to say, to be honest," he told Mark Webber in Parc Ferme. "I thought I would be doing a good job to get out of Q1 after how we got on yesterday.

"Now we are standing here on the front row. I think the guys did an amazing job today, we were always on track at the right time, the car was feeling great and I had so much confidence so on to tomorrow now."

On his lap in the pole position shootout, Russell added: "I think I was in a fortunate position where I had nothing to lose.

"We were in Q3 which is not the norm for us and we just had to go for it. We saved the full maximum engine mode for the last lap and we just thought let's go for it.

"Buzzing, absolutely buzzing. Tomorrow is the important one and we have to go out there and score some more points."

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While a second straight points finish is the aim, traditionally, the car in P2 has a good chance of fighting for the lead on the long run to Les Combes at the start.

So asked if he would be attacking Verstappen on Sunday, George replied: "That's the plan, that's the plan. If it is there for the taking, we will go for it. Mega!"

All this of course comes as Mercedes has still yet to officially announce if Russell or Valtteri Bottas will partner Lewis Hamilton in 2022.

And Williams CEO Jost Capito believes Saturday was just further proof that his driver is ready for the opportunity.

“We would like to keep him of course, but this result today, if Toto [Wolff] hasn’t got the decision done yet, I think this will push him even more to Mercedes," he told Sky Sports.

“Then we are – especially me – very happy to see him in a Mercedes.

“George’s talent is so great for his age and he deserves to be in the car that is capable of winning the championship and we fully support him in that.”

As for Wolff's reaction, the Austrian was complimentary of Russell, who beat Lewis Hamilton by just 0.013s.

“Yeah, a very good lap. Very impressive,” he told the UK broadcaster.

“To put in such a lap and keep it on the track, and then it was a sniff away from pole position, so yeah, congratulations.

But asked if his performance would have any impact on his 2022 decision, Toto quickly replied: “No.

“I think by now we know where we stand and we know what he can do. Today is just another confirmation that he can drive.”

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