P1racenews AI automatic summary:
George Russell taken aback by ‘impressive’ McLaren, Ferrari improvement at F1 Miami Grand Prix
“Mercedes driver George Russell was impressed by the improvements made by rivals McLaren and Ferrari at the Miami Grand Prix, with reigning world champion Lando Norris claiming pole position for the sprint race.
Norris beat Russell’s team-mate Kimi Antonelli to the front of the grid, with McLaren showcasing significant gains after updating their MCL40 car.
Ferrari also brought a substantial upgrade package, with Charles Leclerc out-qualifying Russell, who had to settle for sixth place.
Russell acknowledged the progress of McLaren and Ferrari, admitting that he struggled with overheating tires and finding the right balance on the track in Miami.
The Briton remains optimistic for the race day and believes that there will be opportunities to make up ground despite a challenging starting position.
Jenson Button expressed surprise at Russell’s performance, highlighting the need for him to maximize his potential with the car to close the gap on Antonelli in the championship standings.”
