Russell rages after aborted lap in fight for pole

George Russell was left frustrated after Mercedes told him to abandon a lap that he believed could have secured pole position for the Sao Paulo Grand Prix. Rain then prevented another attempt, leaving him second fastest in qualifying; a five-place engine penalty means he will start seventh.

Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff said the decision was a 50-50 call, while acknowledging Russell had driven exceptionally well. Russell said he felt unusually confident in the car, especially in wet conditions, but the team needed to understand why it had not completed the lap. McLaren boss Andrea Stella also thought Russell’s interrupted effort was on a par with, or potentially faster than, Lando Norris’s pole lap.