George Russell admitted that two disappointing Q3 laps cost him a stronger starting position for the 2026 F1 United States GP, leaving the Mercedes driver sixth on the grid despite demonstrating competitive pace throughout Saturday’s Qualifying session at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA).
Russell recorded a 1:34.476, finishing 0.441 seconds behind teammate Kimi Antonelli, who secured his seventh pole position of the season. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar completed the top three, while Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton qualified fourth and fifth, respectively.
Following the session, Russell acknowledged that mistakes during his final qualifying attempts prevented him from maximising the car’s performance. The British driver also discussed the difficulties created by changing wind conditions, fluctuations in track temperature and the circuit’s increasingly troublesome bumps.
Russell frustrated by mistakes during decisive Q3 laps at the 2026 F1 United States GP
Mercedes entered Saturday’s Qualifying session looking to build on its progress throughout the weekend. Although Ferrari dominated Free Practice, Russell and Antonelli demonstrated improving pace as the team continued refining its latest upgrade package.
Both Mercedes drivers progressed comfortably through Q1 before securing places in the final qualifying segment. Russell showed particularly competitive pace during Q2, briefly moving to the top of the timesheets before Leclerc established the fastest time with a 1:34.198.
However, Russell could not replicate that performance during Q3. While Antonelli delivered an impressive 1:34.035 on his opening attempt, Russell struggled to complete a clean lap, eventually settling for sixth in the final Qualifying classification.
Reflecting on the session, the Mercedes driver acknowledged that his performance deteriorated through the slower sections of the circuit, despite feeling comfortable in the opening sector.
“Yeah, I’m not too sure, to be honest. I think, from my side, it was two bad laps in Q3. As simple as that, really, you know. I was feeling very good at Sector 1. Feeling good, but then with the low speed, I was struggling and, yeah, just didn’t get this together in Q3.”
Russell identifies costly Turn 12 slide during opening Q3 attempt
Russell’s difficulties became particularly apparent during his first Q3 run, when a mistake disrupted his lap through the final sector.
The British driver initially demonstrated strong pace through the opening corners, but a slide around Turn 12 compromised his momentum and prevented him from maintaining the performance necessary to challenge the leading contenders.
Although Russell completed the lap, the time lost through the closing corners ultimately left him behind Antonelli, Verstappen, Hadjar and Leclerc. Hamilton subsequently improved during the final attempts, pushing Russell down to sixth.
Asked whether the problem resulted from a general lack of grip or pushing beyond the car’s limits, Russell identified a single mistake as the beginning of his difficulties.
“No, it was just one slide around Turn 12, and then it was just a snowball. Lost it all in Sector 3.”
The mistake proved costly, particularly as Russell could not improve during his second attempt. With the leading drivers struggling to find additional pace during the final runs, his opening lap ultimately determined his starting position.
Changing weather conditions complicate final Qualifying attempts for Russell at the 2026 F1 United States GP
Alongside his driving errors, Russell highlighted the impact of changing weather conditions throughout the session.
Drivers encountered increasingly unpredictable wind gusts during Q3, making it difficult to maintain a consistent balance through the circuit’s high-speed corners. However, Russell identified fluctuations in cloud cover as another important factor, particularly during the closing stages.
As the sun emerged from behind the clouds, track temperatures increased, changing the grip available to drivers attempting to improve their lap times.
The Mercedes driver explained that the conditions affected the final qualifying attempts, with several leading competitors unable to improve on their opening Q3 benchmarks.
“Yeah, I mean, the cloud cover was having quite an impact as well, so I don’t think anybody improved in my last lap because the sun came out, but unfortunately, my first lap was not good enough.”
Antonelli, Verstappen and Hadjar all failed to improve on their original Q3 times, while Russell similarly struggled to produce a competitive final attempt.
Consequently, Antonelli retained pole position ahead of the two Red Bull drivers, securing Mercedes’ strongest possible starting position despite the changing conditions.
Russell explains impact of track temperature on tyre performance at the 2026 F1 United States GP
Russell also addressed why relatively small changes in cloud cover could have such a significant effect on lap times, particularly during the final sector at COTA.
The circuit places considerable demands on tyre management, with its combination of high-speed direction changes, heavy braking zones and slower corners requiring drivers to balance grip and temperature throughout a lap.
During Qualifying, even small fluctuations in track temperature can affect the tyres’ operating window, changing the level of grip available when drivers attempt to extract maximum performance.
Russell explained that the return of direct sunlight could raise the track temperature by several degrees, making it more difficult to maintain consistent tyre performance through the closing corners.
“Well, just for everyone, the track temperature raises by a couple of degrees, and when you get to Sector 3, that has a huge difference if the tyres are in the window or not.”
The difficulties were particularly relevant during Q3, when drivers attempted to improve on already competitive lap times.
Throughout Friday’s FP2 session, teams had also encountered significant tyre management challenges during their longer runs, adding another consideration ahead of Sunday’s race.
Russell raises concerns over COTA’s increasingly troublesome bumps
Beyond his Qualifying performance, Russell also discussed the condition of the Circuit of the Americas, where bumps have become a recurring concern for drivers.
The issue featured in discussions during the drivers’ briefing ahead of the weekend, with several competitors raising concerns about the severity of the track’s uneven surface.
The circuit’s characteristics present additional challenges for modern Formula 1 machinery, particularly as teams attempt to maximise aerodynamic performance by running their cars with relatively low ride heights and stiff suspension setups.
Russell acknowledged the severity of the bumps but also questioned whether the regulations governing car setup should allow teams greater flexibility to manage such conditions.
“Yeah, I mean, it is definitely pretty bad. It’s always a challenge when you’re forced to run the car so low and so stiff. You know, if we can’t keep someone on the track, then maybe we need to think about how they allow us to run the cars in a more sensible region.”
The combination of significant bumps and stiff suspension settings makes maintaining consistent contact with the circuit more challenging, particularly through high-speed sections and heavy braking zones.
Russell’s concerns added to the discussions surrounding the demands placed on drivers and machinery at COTA, where finding an effective compromise between performance and stability remains an important part of race preparation.
Russell faces recovery challenge as Antonelli takes pole for the 2026 F1 United States GP
Russell will start Sunday’s United States GP from sixth, three positions behind the final podium place and five behind teammate Antonelli.
Although Mercedes demonstrated sufficient pace to secure pole position, Russell’s mistakes during Q3 prevented the team from placing both cars among the leading contenders.
The British driver must now contend with both Red Bulls and both Ferraris ahead of him, with Verstappen and Hadjar occupying the positions directly behind Antonelli.
Furthermore, the race carries significant championship implications. Antonelli enters Sunday with his first mathematical opportunity to secure the 2026 Drivers’ Championship, although he must win while Russell finishes ninth or lower and Hamilton fifth or lower to guarantee the title.
Russell therefore remains directly involved in the championship permutations, with his result potentially determining whether the title battle continues beyond Austin.
However, the Mercedes driver must also consider the challenges associated with tyre management and changing track conditions, particularly after the difficulties encountered throughout Free Practice and Qualifying.
Russell looks to recover from disappointing Austin Qualifying result
Despite his sixth-place finish, Russell enters Sunday’s race with Mercedes having demonstrated improving performance throughout the weekend.
The team’s latest development package contributed to Antonelli’s pole position, while Russell also showed competitive pace during the earlier qualifying segments. However, his two Q3 attempts fell short of the performance required to challenge the leading drivers.
Changing wind conditions and track temperatures added to the difficulties, particularly through the closing sector, where maintaining the tyres within their operating window proved important.
Meanwhile, Russell’s concerns regarding COTA’s bumps highlight another challenge facing the drivers as they prepare for the 56-lap Grand Prix.
With Mercedes, Red Bull and Ferrari all demonstrating competitive pace, Russell will need a strong start and effective tyre management to recover positions.
Although Antonelli begins Sunday’s race from pole with the possibility of securing his maiden World Championship, Russell will focus on recovering from his Qualifying disappointment and securing the strongest possible result for Mercedes.
