The Briton produced a superb late effort in Q3 to split the Ferraris on the Marina Bay circuit, beating Charles Leclerc by 0.007s to line up second behind polesitter Carlos Sainz.
Ferrari headed all three apply periods and qualifying on a weekend that Purple Bull has struggled for steadiness with its RB19, placing its 100% win file in 2023 in jeopardy by lacking out on Q3 with each vehicles.
Nevertheless, Russell believes Mercedes is in a very good place to problem for a primary win of the season as a result of group’s tyre technique.
Talking after qualifying, Russell remarked that he’s “actually proud of this weekend as an entire” and feels “actually assured within the automotive”.
“The group did an incredible job with the technique,” he stated.
“We’re on an offset technique in comparison with all people else. We have got an additional set of medium tyres tomorrow, which no person round us has.
“So to get to Q3 and be on the entrance row with a strategic benefit tomorrow is thrilling place to be.”
George Russell, Mercedes-AMG, in Parc Ferme after Qualifying
Picture by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
Russell defined that as a result of tyre degradation throughout Friday’s apply periods appeared “fairly dangerous”, there could be a excessive probability that its further tyres might play to the group’s benefit.
“I feel it is gonna be very shut between a one and a two cease,” he stated.
“With our mediums, we are able to put Ferrari in a troublesome place and attempt to pressure them into an error and get the higher hand, so that is what we’re in search of.”
Sainz acknowledged that race tempo for Ferrari could be “a little bit of a query mark”.
“We all know our weak point it is all the time the race tempo and it is the place we all the time pay the worth,” he stated.
“However I feel the group has been doing an incredible job over the past couple of weekends to know the bundle, perceive the automotive.
“I feel we’re undoubtedly making a little bit of progress, holding in thoughts that this circuit has all the time suited the Ferrari fast nicely.”
Addressing the Mercedes’ tyre offset, he added: “Mercedes is often a bit faster than us come race day, they’ve a little bit of a special technique with the tyres that we must keep watch over.
“But when I focus in my very own race, put collectively a very good first stint, and a very good stint on hards then I feel we are able to nonetheless goal the win.”
Pole man Carlos Sainz, Scuderia Ferrari, in Parc Ferme
Picture by: Steven Tee / Motorsport Images
Lewis Hamilton ended the session fifth within the second Mercedes, behind Lando Norris’s McLaren, after an eventful qualifying session that was extended by Lance Stroll’s heavy Q1 crash.
Russell stated the delays whereas barrier repairs might be accomplished and spilled fluid from the closely broken Aston Martin might be cleared up had made for “a difficult session” within the intense Singapore warmth.
“If you’re sat in that automotive, it is such as you’re sat within the sauna, simply sweating it out,” he added.
“However you’ve got to maintain your composure, keep cool.”