Mercedes F1 suffered a shocking Monaco Grand Prix qualifying, with George Russell hit by engine issues and Antonelli crashing out in Q1.
This is the one qualifying session in the year that cannot be missed, and that’s exactly what happened at Mercedes F1 with both cars. George Russell ended up 14th without setting a time in Q2 for the Monaco Grand Prix due to an engine issue.
“Two races, two problems. It’s clearly not good. Completely different reasons. I was on a straight and hit a bump. The bump had been there all weekend, but this time, the engine cut out.”
“I’m really frustrated. Qualifying here is the most exciting of the season, and from the first lap in Q1, I felt back in the game. I felt strong in the car. I had no doubt about our ability to fight for a good position.”
“Tomorrow will be a lottery with the two mandatory pit stops. I think half the drivers will go one way with an early stop, the others the opposite, so there’s not much we can do from this position.”
“Two pit stops in Monaco isn’t normal, but two pit stops in many other races is completely standard, so there won’t be any surprises.”
“We were preparing for the front of the grid. We had no strategy for 14th and 15th place. That’s where we are, and it’s not a good thing.”
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, in fact, was involved in an accident at the very end of Q1 and was therefore unable to run in Q2 despite having qualified:
“It was an unnecessary and costly mistake. It’s a shame to end like that, I’m sorry for the team and it’s my fault.”
“I was trying to get comfortable with the car and make progress through the session. We’ve had more difficulties this weekend than others, but the mistake is mine, it has nothing to do with the car, so I’m sorry for the team.”
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