Russell stated he believed the issue lay of their respective driving types, and its affect on whether or not the tyres have been at their best temperature for a qualifying lap.
“There’s clearly a distinction in driving type between the 2 of us, which has been there final 12 months as effectively, however performed into my arms very effectively final 12 months,” Russell stated.
“And it clearly is enjoying into his arms completely effectively this 12 months, however it nonetheless does not reply why I used to be so good at first of the 12 months and so poor now. So, we have to have a look at why that’s. It is clear within the knowledge.
“The distinction is how we’re driving has such an affect on the tyres. He is simply getting the tyres in a nicer window than me, a nicer steadiness over the course of a lap, and the tempo is simply coming simpler for him. I do not know why that’s.
“I have been driving on this method my entire profession, and now, for no matter purpose, it isn’t working with this automotive.
“Final 12 months’s automotive, Kimi was attempting to drive in my method, and it was additionally not working for him.
“It is no excuse, it is only a actuality, and I have to both work with the group to regulate my driving to compensate these new tyres, these new vehicles, or I have to discover a totally different set-up that works for me.”
The results of qualifying was particularly dispiriting for Russell, who was on pole on the final race in Canada, for 2 totally different causes.
Monaco has a particular standing as a observe the place driving expertise could make the distinction, and he must make up floor within the championship.
Beginning sixth, on a observe the place passing is anticipated to be subsequent to unimaginable even within the context of the elevated quantity of overtaking with the brand new vehicles launched this 12 months, means his possibilities of transferring up the sphere are distant.
Mercedes group principal Toto Wolff advised Sky Sports activities: “George could be very sturdy and resilient. There have been just a few races that went towards him, simply because luck wasn’t on his facet or he wasn’t there on the proper second. Right here, I do not suppose it is a lot a psychological facet, he simply by no means had the boldness within the automotive.
“Qualifying began on a foul foot. When you begin to run behind the efficiency and also you lose the boldness, it is super-difficult to catch up once more and I feel it could have been one session extra and he would have been there or thereabouts however he did not have any grip.”
As for Antonelli’s efficiency, and a brand new excessive for the Italian, Wolff stated: “He simply has the nice momentum behind him. He is so younger, there’s this easiness that he nonetheless has. When you’ve gotten such a positivity then this stuff can occur.”
