Russell explains Miami Sprint Qualifying struggles

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What is F1 TV?F1 GlossaryGet involved2026 RegulationsNewsVideosRussell explains Miami Sprint Qualifying strugglesAntonelli relieved with P2 recovery in Miami Sprint QualifyingNorris reflects on Sprint pole after bouncing back from 'woeful' SQ2Join Norris for his Sprint Qualifying pole lap in MiamiVideoPlay1:19Russell 'pretty surprised by how big a jump' rivals have taken 0:41P9 Hadjar puzzled by gap in pace to team mate Verstappen Alexander AlbonFernando AlonsoKimi AntonelliOliver BearmanGabriel BortoletoValtteri BottasFranco ColapintoPierre GaslyIsack HadjarLewis HamiltonNico HulkenbergLiam LawsonCharles LeclercArvid LindbladLando NorrisEsteban OconSergio PerezOscar PiastriGeorge RussellCarlos SainzLance StrollMax VerstappenAll Drivers Hall of FameTeamsChevron DropdownAlpineAston MartinAudiCadillacFerrariHaas F1 TeamMcLarenMercedesRacing BullsRed Bull RacingWilliamsAll TeamsFantasy & GamingChevron DropdownF1 Sim RacingFantasyF1 25F1 Manager 24F1 PredictF1 ClashF1 Members' AreaMenuFIA if(window.f1MobileDetection.iOSSafari) { var meta = document.createElement("meta"); meta.name = "apple-itunes-app"; meta.content = "app-id=835022598, app-argument=https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/russell-explains-struggles-in-miami-sprint-qualifying-as-he-admits-being-surprised-by-progress-of-rivals.uxKmgv3x3jH4LsnxqHCCz.uxKmgv3x3jH4LsnxqHCCz"; document.head.appendChild(meta); } {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/russell-explains-struggles-in-miami-sprint-qualifying-as-he-admits-being-surprised-by-progress-of-rivals.uxKmgv3x3jH4LsnxqHCCz","url":"https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/russell-explains-struggles-in-miami-sprint-qualifying-as-he-admits-being-surprised-by-progress-of-rivals.uxKmgv3x3jH4LsnxqHCCz","mainEntityOfPage":"https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/russell-explains-struggles-in-miami-sprint-qualifying-as-he-admits-being-surprised-by-progress-of-rivals.uxKmgv3x3jH4LsnxqHCCz","datePublished":"2026-05-01T22:51:18.702Z","dateModified":"2026-05-01T22:51:18.702Z","headline":"George Russell explains struggles in Miami Sprint Qualifying as he admits being ‘surprised’ by progress of rivals","author":"F1","description":"After a challenging Sprint Qualifying at the Miami Grand Prix, Mercedes' George Russell has shared an insight into what was causing his issues.","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://media.formula1.com/image/upload/t_16by9Centre/f_auto/q_auto/v1777579811/trackside-images/2026/F1_Grand_Prix_of_Miami___Previews/2273922620.jpg"},"isAccessibleForFree":"true","publisher":{"@type":"SportsOrganization","@id":"https://www.formula1.com#organization","name":"Formula 1","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://www.formula1.com/etc/designs/fom-website/social/f1-default-share.jpg","width":"480","height":"120"}}}George RussellMercedesSprint QualifyingShow more tagsRussell explains struggles in Miami Sprint Qualifying as he admits being ‘surprised’ by progress of rivalsAfter a challenging Sprint Qualifying at the Miami Grand Prix, Mercedes' George Russell has shared an insight into what was causing his issues. George Russell has explained the issues that led to him “struggling” during Sprint Qualifying at the Miami Grand Prix, with the Briton – who ended the session in sixth – admitting to being “surprised” by how Mercedes’ rivals have progressed. After some issues for the Silver Arrows in Friday’s sole practice session, the championship leaders were somewhat on the back foot when SQ1 got underway a few hours later. It would prove to be McLaren and Ferrari – both teams that have brought upgrade packages this weekend – who set the pace through Sprint Qualifying, with Lando Norris ultimately coming out on top to seal pole position for Saturday’s Sprint. While Kimi Antonelli slotted into P2 during the closing moments of SQ3, his Mercedes team mate Russell had to settle for P6 and later reflected on the challenges of the day as he spoke to the media afterwards. “It’s pretty surprising how big a jump McLaren and Ferrari have made, so that’s pretty damn impressive,” the 28-year-old said. “We knew they’d probably close the gap, but all day they’ve been quicker than us. “On my side I’ve been struggling today – Miami’s not a track that I love, to be honest, especially in these hotter conditions. But it’s only Sprint Qualifying, so let’s see what tomorrow brings.” Pushed on the key areas that were causing those struggles, Russell explained: “It was just overheating the tyres a lot in that twisty section in the middle – I was struggling to get the right balance with the car so, yeah, not much more to say than that really. “As I said, I’ve just been quite surprised by the progress of the others, but another day tomorrow.” When asked if he felt that it would take a lot to bring the fight to those ahead of him on Saturday, the British driver conceded: “I don’t know. I’m not in a great starting position. “Sprint races generally don’t offer that much, but obviously China was a bit more interesting this year, which gives an opportunity to have a bit of a race. So I want to get off the line – hopefully don’t lose any more positions – and see what we can do.” OUR PARTNERSView allDownload the Official F1 AppScheduleDriversNewsTeamsFantasy & GamingCookie PreferencesMoreF1FacebookXInstagramYouTube© 2003-2026 Formula One World Championship Limited