George Russell highlights Max Verstappen Qatar 'advantage' over McLaren

George Russell has suggested Max Verstappen will have a strategy advantage over the McLaren drivers in Qatar.

The title fight between the trio is entering its final stages, with Lando Norris able to seal the title as early as Sunday at the Lusail International Circuit.

The Qatar Grand Prix will see two mandatory pit stops, which have been enforced after Pirelli voiced concern over the excessive tyre wear generated by the track.

Russell noted that the tyres were already at the limit at the end of the 19-lap sprint race on Saturday, having already been used in qualifying.

“A lot of drivers were very close on the front left tyre wear,” Russell told media including RacingNews365. 

“Obviously, we all maxed out for 25 laps on the medium tyres, when you account for the six laps that everybody did in qualifying.

“Everybody had done 25 laps on that medium and that was very much the limit.

“It'll be interesting to see if people do the medium-medium-hard, which would be the most logical thing to protect from the undercut.”

Verstappen will start the race from third on the grid, behind the McLaren pair of Oscar Piastri and Norris.

As he lines up on the clean side of the grid, Russell stated Verstappen can afford to take a chance compared to McLaren when it comes to tyre choice.

“But you may see somebody put the hard on in the middle or the hard at the beginning,” Russell said.

“Maybe Max will do something different considering he's on the clean side of the grid, he's got an advantage there.

“He can probably afford to start on the hard tyre, and it would still be a better start if I'm on the medium tyre. I could potentially foresee that happening. 

“The McLaren drivers wouldn't do that because the risk is too great, so that's probably our only opportunity.”