George Russell will be on the lookout during Qualifying Sprint

As this weekend is going to inaugurate the first Sprint Qualifying sessions in F1 history, some drivers, such as Lewis Hamilton, have stated that they are not thrilled about this new format. However, this is not the case for George Russell, who believes that it could benefit him.

Interviewed in the F1Nation podcast on the subject, the Briton believes that some of his competitors, notably Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, will play the caution card in order to maximize their chances.

« If everyone is conservative, then this gives an opportunity to the one who is a bit more aggressive, so obviously if I was [Max] Verstappen or Lewis [Hamilton] at the front of the grid, I wouldn’t go for an imprudent overtaking and risk not finishing the race because they can qualify in the top five. Or start in the top five or even finish first and second. », he declared.

The Williams driver then declared that he would probably not be one of those who will be careful. The Briton will therefore seize any opportunity that presents itself to him to perform well.

« In a position like ours, when we are at the back of the grid, we have to push hard. So, it’s an opportunity because there will be people who will have a different approach.

George Russell concluded by admitting that there might be an advantage with this new format. By playing the attack card, he could then finish ahead of certain cars, in theory faster than his own, which could offer him the opportunity to score points on Sunday.

We have often been good in qualifying. If we can start in front of some faster cars that may play a little more conservatively than us, or start just behind some cars that will be a little more conservative than us, this may offer us an opportunity – I am ready for that, he concluded.