"Got to remember what our goal this weekend is": Mercedes duo focused on P2 in WCC

Written by Maham Mir

George Russell's Mercedes ahead of McLaren's Lando Norris during the sprint | Credit: Formula One

After a solid qualifying which saw him take P4 behind the three championship hopefuls of Oscar Piastri, Lando Norris and Max Verstappen, George Russell stated: “We’ve got to remember what our goal is this weekend".

As it currently stands, Mercedes sit on 441 points in P2, 41 points clear of Red Bull who currently occupy P3 and 63 points clear of Ferrari who are yet to score a point in Qatar this weekend. Raising the margin to Red Bull from 41 points to 44 points would seal P2 ahead of the final race of the season at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi. 

Russell and teammate Kimi Antonelli qualified for Sunday Grand Prix in P4 and P5 respectively, clear of the Red Bull of Yuki Tsunoda and both Ferrari drivers of Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton. Speaking on their positions in light of their hope to seal P2 in the World Constructors’ Championship, Russell remained clear that “we’re in a good place to achieve that [P2].”

Discussing the margins between the drivers and if more was possible to get closer to Verstappen who started behind the British driver in the sprint, Russell stated: “it’s so tight out there”. He further added that “My lap yesterday was maybe slightly better than the one today so it is annoying to miss out on P3 by such a small margin.” 

While the margins may be small in the WCC this season between Mercedes, Red Bull and Ferrari, the potential for prize money and the opportunity to invest that back into car development is crucial. With the upcoming 2026 regulation changes, Russell and the silver arrows will be hoping to do everything possible to find championship success in the next set of regulations.

Having already achieved a sprint podium position with P2, Russell will be optimistic about his chances for Sunday’s Grand Prix. Discussing the pace available in their car on a circuit they have enjoyed success on in the past, Russell outlined “the pace did look strong in the Sprint, up there with Lando and Max”.

Despite a five second time penalty for exceeding track limits, Antonelli also scored crucial points in the sprint race. The rookie driver followed up his teammate’s comments and stated that there’s a “lot to play for tomorrow”.

A P2 WCC finish for the Italian driver would be another highlight to the already impeccably rookie season he’s been enjoying so far. Antonelli achieved his first and second podiums in Canada and Las Vegas respectively. Additionally, he also became the third-youngest ever pole sitter in any format in Miami’s sprint earlier this season.

Like his teammate, the rookie saw promise in the pace of the car during qualifying and was clear that “we will be able to maximise the potential of the car tomorrow”.

A 57 lap race under the desert lights stands between the Mercedes duo and the best of the rest title. The silver arrows will be hoping the pace in their car will be the very thing to help them over the line ahead of their competitors.