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    British delight as Russell gets home pole ahead of Hamilton, Norris

    By DPA,

    13 days ago

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=31noBD_0uH6qkUv00

    George Russell claimed pole position ahead of Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton while McLaren's Lando Norris completed a British top three on Saturday in qualifying for their home Formula One grand prix.

    Russell clocked 1 minute 25.819 seconds on the iconic 5.891-kilometre Silverstone circuit for his second pole of the season and third overall.

    Record eight-time race winner Hamilton trailed by .171 of a second and Miami GP winner Norris by .211.

    That left only fourth place for triple world champion and season leader Max Verstappen of Red Bull, who damaged his floor during qualifying on a drying track.

    Joy for Mercedes and Britons

    Helped by cold conditions, the result was sweet for Mercedes who have been struggling in recent years but got a win last week from Russell in Austria after Verstappen and Norris collided while fighting for the lead.

    The three had finished in the same order in final practice earlier on Saturday.

    Fans will hope that they can replicate their performance on Sunday for what would be a first British podium sweep at the home race since 1965.

    "What a feeling. At the start of this year we couldn't have dreamt of being on pole here," Russell said.

    "One-two for me and Lewis, Lando P3. Just mega. It's down to all these fans as well. They give us so much energy."

    Hamilton, who has not won a race since 2021, said: "I’m so proud to be here with three Brits in the top three, it's incredible. Huge congratulations to George, he did a great job.

    "We definitely didn’t expect to be front row this weekend but this is huge for us, for our team. The car felt fantastic out there."

    Race still to come as Verstappen hopes to bounce back

    Russell added that "we are riding this wave at the moment" but that they still "have a race to win. It will be tight with Lando and Max will be fast as well."

    Last year's winner Verstappen has not given up hope, once the floor damage from riding out has been repaired.

    "We are in the mix. Anything can happen," he said.

    Bad day for Perez and Ferrari

    Verstappen's team-mate Sergio Perez had a day to forget as he spun off in Q1 and finished 19th.

    There was also dismay for Ferrari's Monaco winner Charles Leclerc, who went out in Q2 in 11th in a qualifying session that started in wet conditions.

    Team-mate Carlos Sainz had to be content with seventh, behind Oscar Piastri of McLaren and impressive Haas driver Nico Hülkenberg.

    "The feeling in the car is just not good, we are struggling," Leclerc said.

    Verstappen leads the championship by 81 points from Norris as the 24-race season reaches the halfway mark on Sunday.

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