George Russell qualifies seventh at Malaysia Grand Prix after tough session
3 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Oct 3, 2026, 12:19 PM
Last updated Oct 3, 2026
George Russell qualified seventh for the Malaysia Grand Prix, which he called his 'toughest Saturday of the year.' Struggling with performance at the Sepang International Circuit, he expressed frustration after never contending for pole position. His teammate Kimi Antonelli will start third, with Max Verstappen claiming the first pole of the season. Russell emphasized the importance of tire management in the upcoming race, which could involve high degradation and possible rain, affecting strategy.
- •Russell starts seventh due to a grid penalty for Isack Hadjar.
- •Max Verstappen secured pole position for the Malaysia Grand Prix.
- •Kimi Antonelli will start third, aiming for a strong performance.
- •Russell noted aggressive track conditions affecting lap times.
- •Tire management will be critical in the race, with high degradation expected.
- 1:05 PMESPN F1 — Russell: Poor qualifying not 'be all and end all'
- 11:33 AMYahoo Sports — Russell confident poor qualifying does not end his chances in Malaysia
- 11:12 AMYahoo Sports — George Russell explains ‘toughest Saturday of the year’ after poor Malaysia qualifying result
"George Russell insisted his worst grid position of the year for Sunday’s Bahrain Grand Prix “is not the be all and end all” – a week after his brilliant win in Azerbaijan had provided him with a foothold in the world championship race. Russell took 15 points out of leader Kimi Antonelli with his dominant triumph on the streets of Baku to trim his Mercedes team-mate’s title advantage to 66 with a possible 208 still remaining.
"George Russell insisted his worst grid position of the year for Sunday's 'Bahrain Grand Prix' "is not the be all and end all" -- a week after his brilliant win in Azerbaijan had provided him with a foothold in the world championship race.
"The F1 title contender will start seventh on the grid and was never in contention at the top of the leaderboard
Sources
External links- ESPN F1Oct 3, 2026, 1:05 PMRussell: Poor qualifying not 'be all and end all'
George Russell insisted his worst grid position of the year for Sunday's 'Bahrain Grand Prix' "is not the be all and end all" -- a week after his brilliant win in Azerbaijan had provided him with a foothold in the world championship race.
- Yahoo SportsOct 3, 2026, 11:33 AMRussell confident poor qualifying does not end his chances in Malaysia
George Russell insisted his worst grid position of the year for Sunday’s Bahrain Grand Prix “is not the be all and end all” – a week after his brilliant win in Azerbaijan had provided him with a foothold in the world championship race. Russell took 15 points out of leader Kimi Antonelli with his dominant triumph on the streets of Baku to trim his Mercedes team-mate’s title advantage to 66 with a possible 208 still remaining.
- Yahoo SportsOct 3, 2026, 11:12 AMGeorge Russell explains ‘toughest Saturday of the year’ after poor Malaysia qualifying result
The F1 title contender will start seventh on the grid and was never in contention at the top of the leaderboard
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