P1racenews AI automatic summary:
George Russell admits Max Verstappen could be the key to his chances of winning the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix after being conflicted by his third-place qualifying performance. Verstappen took pole p…
George Russell is considering Max Verstappen as a key factor in his chances of winning the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix following his third-place qualifying performance. Despite being satisfied with his top-three position, Russell feels he couldn’t take maximum risk on his final lap due to a red flag interruption in Q3, resulting in a slightly cautious approach compared to his rivals. Russell praises Verstappen’s strategic two-lap run plan for alleviating pressure and acknowledges the challenge of competing without a prior lap time. Even though starting in third place, Russell aims for victory on Sunday, especially if Verstappen can fend off Oscar Piastri early in the race. The prospect of a one-stop strategy due to the softer medium tires adds an element of unpredictability to the race, with Russell hoping for different tactical approaches for a thrilling competition.
