GEORGE RUSSELL has claimed his first-ever pole position with the Mercedes ace to start at the front of the grid for Sunday’s Hungarian Grand Prix.
The Silver Arrows star snatched top spot in qualifying away from Ferrari pair Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc.
Mercedes star George Russell will start in pole position for the Hungarian Grand Prix
Russell pipped Ferrari duo Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz to top spot in qualifying
But it wasn’t great news for Russell’s team-mate Lewis Hamilton, who has to settle for seventh.
As for Championship leader Max Verstappen, the Red Bull driver will start in 10th spot having lost power in Q3.
Russell failed to hide his joy after qualifying as he now sets his sights on a podium finish.
He told Sky Sports: “I am over the moon, absolutely buzzing.
“I mean, yesterday was arguably our worst Friday of the season and we worked so hard and we didn’t know what direction to go in.
“Then that last lap, I got around Turn 1 , mega Turn 1, then mega Turn 2 and the lap time just kept coming and kept coming.
“I came across the line and looked at the screen and saw we came P1 and it was an incredible feeling.
“We need to look into it and understand where that came from today.
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“We are going to be absolutely going for it but either way that was a special day no doubt.”
It was an impressive drive from McLaren’s Lando Norris in Q3, with the Brit to start in fourth place on Sunday.
Alpine’s Esteban Ocon and Fernando Alonso then follow, with Valterri Bottas pipping Daniel Ricciardo to eighth spot.
Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff lauded Russell after qualifying, as he said: “In this moment you want to cry joy for pole position but equally you know the car was good for him (Lewis) to be there as well.
“Very, very bitter sweet. That is a solid result, we were always off the pace on a single lap and now we are on pole so let’s see what we can do tomorrow.
“If we have the pace then I feel like we are in the fun and games at the front again.”
