Russell positively surprised after Norris can't take advantage of McLaren's pace in Bahrain

George Russell is in fine form so far in 2025, and the Briton managed to put his Mercedes on the front row of the grid in Bahrain. Russell himself was surprised with the result.

While Oscar Piastri managed to claim pole position for Sunday's Bahrain Grand Prix, Lando Norris only finished in P6.

"I think if anybody said we'd have been within half a second of the McLarens we'd have taken it because we would have thought that would have been P3 on the grid," Russell began after jumping out of his car.

"So to be second on the grid is a bonus. Congrats to Oscar, great lap, and excited for tomorrow now," he continued.

Mercedes benefit from cooler temperatures in Bahrain

Russell saw the Mercedes improve in cooler conditions, after FP3 was completed during the afternoon in Bahrain.

"To be honest, I think the strides were being made with the night time coming in and the track temperature being a bit cooler. We saw it this morning when it was roasting hot the McLarens were down the road and now as this session unfolded we just seemed to get quicker and quicker."

Russell then concluded: "So lining up P2 is a great chance for tomorrow, but I think being realistic it will be a challenge to fight with Oscar."

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