“We Have a Strategic Advantage”: George Russell Threatens Sainz After Destroying Hamilton at Singapore GP Qualifying

Take a bow, Singapore! The Marina Bay Circuit has always had a propensity for churning out some classic Formula 1 moments, but the 2023 Qualifying session was a different beast altogether. The weekend started on a better note for some drivers than others, but with Carlos Sainz snatching pole away from his teammate, Charles Leclerc, and the rest of the grid, the Ferrari man looks like the favorite for a win in Singapore tomorrow. But after putting his 7x champion of a teammate, Lewis Hamilton to shame, George Russell had a pretty explosive ace up his sleeve for the Grand Prix, too.

The Brit was always a step ahead of Hamilton all throughout the Qualifying sessions today. And that showed as he secured a front-row start for tomorrow’s Singapore Grand Prix. But what was even remarkable about this particular flying effort was the fact that George Russell was the better part of 4-tenths quicker than Hamilton. Now, with Sainz his primary rival, he had a few words of discouragement for his competition.

George Russell reveals strategic ace up Mercedes’ sleeve

Straight after the session, Russell jumped into an interview with Sky Sports F1’s Danica Patrick. He was quick to reveal a strategic masterplan the team had been cooking all along the weekend to ensure the best shot at victory for the Brit tomorrow.

Keeping an extra set of the new medium compound tire to themselves by a shrewd tire usage program, Russell believes he has an edge over the likes of Ferrari who are notorious for how hard their SF-23 is on the rubber. He was quoted as saying, “We have a strategic advantage tomorrow which is an exciting place to be.” 

Read More: What Changes Have Been Brought to the Marina Bay Circuit? How Will It Make the Singapore GP More Exciting?

No matter what Russell says, Carlos Sainz Jr. will be hell-bent on destroying the Bulls’ 2023 legacy.

Carlos Sainz sets his sights firmly on historic Ferrari win

Yes, it’s happened. Red Bull have been impeded in Q2. Both Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez were knocked out of Q2 on pure pace. Now, Sainz can smell blood. At the Italian GP, Ferrari were let down by their tire management, but can Max Verstappen turn things around overnight?

The Singapore Grand Prix is going to be a belter of a race tomorrow. But Verstappen probably won’t be looking forward to it. At the end of FP3, it seems like his fate is already decided as he lamented, “You see that last sector, I’m just drifting. I think if I’m going to compete in drifting, I might win the race.”

With Max Verstappen seemingly out of the equation, who comes out on top at the Singapore Grand Prix tomorrow? Is it going to be George Russell? Or Carlos Sainz Jr.?

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