George Russell FUMES at Mercedes as team strategy mix-up sees Brit knocked out in Q1 of Hungarian Grand Prix qualifying – in nightmare return for last year’s pole-sitter

George Russell fumes at Mercedes team after he was knocked out of Q1 ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix. 

The pole-sitter for last year’s Hungarian Grand Prix was caught in the sector three traffic going into the final run of the session in what was a miserable day for the Brit.

Heading into the final lap, around 10 drivers queued in an attempt to give themselves a final push.

Russell left a big gap to his team-mate Lewis Hamilton, while replays showed that three cars cars pushed forward and overtook the Mercedes driver.

The Brit was caught out and would eventually ruin the opening sector of his lap. Russell wasn’t quick to escape the drop zone, much to the frustration of Toto Wolff and team Mercedes.  

George Russell fumes at Mercedes team after he was knocked out of Q1 ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix

The pole-sitter for last year’s Hungarian Grand Prix was caught in the sector three traffic going into the final run of the session

He is set to start Sunday’s race in 18th, with the Brit unhappy with his team.

The Mercedes driver revealed his shock over the team radio: ‘Don’t tell me we’re out. Guys, I could have gone at any point. I was in all that traffic in sector three!’

Mercedes team principal, Wolff was seen slamming his fist following after Russell was knocked out of Q1.

Speaking to Sky Sports F1 about his elimination, Russell said: ‘We were fast. The car felt great. The whole session we were out of sync with everybody.

‘I got overtaken by four cars going into the last corner, starting my lap.

‘I was three tenths down before I got to Turn 1, the tyres were nowhere and it was totally normal that we went slower and didn’t make it through.

‘Really disappointed. We didn’t need to take so many risks. We went out for one lap at the end, one of the few cars that did that.

‘The car was more than quick enough to get to Q2 and Q3. It’s rare we make these mistakes. You get what you deserve if you don’t do things right.’

The 25-year-old will begin tomorrow’s Hungarian Grand Prix race in 18th place 

Mercedes team principal, Toto Wolff was seen slamming his fist following after Russell was knocked out of Q1.

Russell’s team-mate, Hamilton will begin the race on pole position tomorrow after the Mercedes driver snatched the position by 0.003s from Max Verstappen. 

‘Get in there, let’s go boys! That feels so good guys,’ Hamilton said immediately after stealing pole.

The Hungarian Grand Prix will take place on tomorrow at the Hungaroring in Budapest, with the race due to get underway at 2pm.