Mercedes
In ultimate observe, Antonelli lastly discovered his mojo right here and put himself firmly into the combo on the entrance, whereas Russell was the one to begin to wrestle. However Russell put all his expertise to good use in Qualifying, ensuring he did sufficient to make Q3 with out taking any dangers. As soon as there he gambled and ran the mediums on his final lap, and it labored a deal with as he jumped the McLaren of Norris into P3. Antonelli couldn’t be part of him as he struggled to get the perfect out of the C6 tyre, exiting in Q2 at his dwelling monitor to offer himself a tough process tomorrow to climb again into the highest 10.
George Russell, third, 1:14.807
“I’m pleased with P3 right this moment. The automobile felt actually sturdy on the market and I do know I might have finished even higher if I didn’t make a small mistake on my first lap of Q3. The crew made an amazing name by selecting the Medium tyre for our second and ultimate effort. Every little thing simply got here collectively on the lap, and I used to be capable of put the tyres in the suitable window. There might have been somewhat extra time on the market, however I don’t assume sufficient to problem the 2 drivers forward of us.
“This circuit is likely one of the narrowest tracks on the calendar and will probably be actually difficult to overhaul tomorrow. Combating with the McLarens forward is not going to be simple however we confirmed strong tempo on our lengthy runs in observe. If we’re capable of carry out in an identical method in tomorrow’s race, then there may be each risk we will battle for the rostrum.”
Kimi Antonelli, thirteenth, 1:15.772
“I’m clearly a bit dissatisfied to qualify P13 for Sunday’s race. I actually struggled to place all the pieces collectively in my single laps on the Mushy tyre and it simply didn’t really feel fairly proper. It was actually difficult to get the tyres in the suitable window; I didn’t fairly have sufficient grip, and I actually struggled to get into a great rhythm.
It’s a actual problem to overhaul on this monitor so P13 isn’t perfect. From what we skilled in observe although, I do know that our lengthy runs are sturdy. Hopefully we will utilise that tempo to make up some positions and get into the factors. We will likely be in search of any alternatives which will fall our means too. If we will reap the benefits of them, then we will nonetheless have a great afternoon. It’s a disgrace to finish right this moment outdoors of the highest 10 however the ambiance has nonetheless been unimaginable. We are going to work onerous in a single day and are available again stronger tomorrow.”
Bradley Lord, Crew Consultant
“We’ve combined emotions after right this moment’s qualifying session. George delivered a easy session and a extremely spectacular ultimate lap on the Medium tyre to take P3; and not using a compromised outlap, and subsequently cool tyres within the opening corners, he might have fought for pole. We went into qualifying pondering that the Medium was a doable Q3 tyre, and the Aston Martins’ efficiency in Q2 confirmed it was the best way to go, with George utilizing it to nice impact.
“It was a tougher session for Kimi. He by no means felt the grip he wished from the tyres and was additionally dropping somewhat on the straights owing to a barely larger downforce setup than George – however not seeing the anticipated beneficial properties within the corners. It was a tricky tablet for him to swallow to qualify P13 at his first dwelling race, however we at all times say that these tough moments are those the place we be taught essentially the most, and little question that will likely be true for Kimi right this moment as effectively; that is all a part of the educational curve in his first season. The silver lining is that his race tempo was very sturdy in FP2, so we will count on him to achieve positions from the place he’s beginning.
“Imola is historically a one-stop race, owing to the numerous pitlane loss, however the softer tyre compounds this 12 months imply that is not a certainty in tomorrow’s race. We will likely be working the simulations this night to see the place now we have alternatives to maneuver ahead tomorrow, and the race will likely be a great gauge of how a lot progress now we have made in managing the tyre temperatures on the lengthy runs.”
Andrew Shovlin, Trackside Engineering Director
“It is clearly disappointing for Kimi that he did not make it by to Q3 in Qualifying, however we’ll have a look at why he is struggled for tempo right here greater than at a few of the latest tracks. He is not had the identical confidence within the automobile that he had in Miami, however he no less than had sturdy long term tempo yesterday. Sadly, it is not a straightforward circuit to overhaul at so we’ll overview all our choices with the view to how we will get him into the factors. We are going to stand able to reap the benefits of any alternatives that come our means.
“George fared considerably higher, ultimately securing P3 on the grid. We determined to strive the Medium compound for the ultimate run of Qualifying because it was wanting sturdy on the Aston Martins. It additionally appeared to be working fairly effectively for us, and George was capable of finding a few tenths enchancment and gained a spot within the course of.
“It is tough to know the way the race goes to pan out tomorrow. The tyres will want a good bit of administration to keep away from overheating and there may be additionally a excessive danger of incidents because the monitor is kind of slender and there are such a lot of gravel traps. We’ll be doing all the pieces we will to remain within the battle for a podium.”
