George Russell conceded that Mercedes were not quite as competitive as hoped for during the opening day of action at the Dutch Grand Prix, with the Briton ending FP2 in fourth while team mate Kimi Antonelli lost out on mileage in FP1 after becoming beached in the gravel.<\/p>\n
Following a run of more challenging races during the middle of the season, things seemed to be looking more positive for the Silver Arrows<\/a> last time out in Hungary after reverting to an older suspension<\/a>.<\/p>\n As the campaign resumed again in Zandvoort<\/a> post-summer break, Russell<\/a> ended the day\u2019s first practice session<\/a> in seventh before improving to fourth in the second hour<\/a>, leading the 27-year-old to suggest that the squad had hoped for more.<\/p>\n \u201cI felt good out there, to be honest,\u201d Russell explained after jumping out of the car. \u201cIt was great to be back driving again after a couple of weeks out. Conditions for everybody were really tricky.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was really windy and this circuit has a lot of 180-degree corners so, when it is windy and gusty, the car is going through that whole phase of the corner, so it\u2019s more exposed than on other circuits, maybe like Silverstone, where it\u2019s a little bit in and out of the corners \u2013 I hope that makes some sort of sense!<\/p>\n \u201cBut, [in terms of] competitiveness, maybe not quite as close to the front as we\u2019d like, but the race pace looks okay, sort of in the usual mix.\u201d<\/p>\n Pushed on whether Aston Martin<\/a> could be the team\u2019s main competition during the weekend \u2013 following an impressive performance by the squad on Friday, with Fernando Alonso<\/a> ending FP2 in second place \u2013 Russell responded: \u201cThese last couple of races have been really surprising.<\/p>\n \u201cAston had a really bad run of form, and then they were really on it in Hungary and they had a great result. Here they look fast. Ferrari<\/a> have seemed really off the pace today, but I\u2019m sure that can turn very quickly as well, and same with Max [Verstappen]<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cHe had a tough race in Hungary, but I think that was more of an outlier. So, as it stands, it looks like a bit of a fight with the Astons, with Max and with ourselves, but I\u2019m sure Ferrari will get in there.\u201d<\/p>\n Russell also gave his take on an unusual moment with Oscar Piastri<\/a> in the pit lane, during which the Mercedes driver had to brake heavily when the Australian moved back into the fast lane ahead of him after being unable to enter the McLaren<\/a> pit box. The papaya outfit were later fined for the incident.<\/p>\n \u201cI think he pulled in a bit too early and pulled back out,\u201d said Russell. \u201cA bit unfortunate but it scared me a bit! When you\u2019re on track you\u2019re ready for anything, but when you\u2019re in the pit lane going relatively very slow, you\u2019re just chilling out. I was looking at my screen and I was like, \u2018Geez!\u2019 It caught me by surprise!\u201d<\/p>\n