Russell delivers 'bet some money' Verstappen-Norris prediction

George Russell believes "you can probably bet some money" on there being action between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris at the Mexico City Grand Prix.

The Mercedes driver qualified in fifth at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez and will line-up directly behind the McLaren.

Verstappen and Norris are locked into a fight for the F1 drivers' championship. However, with a 57-point advantage and only five rounds to run, the odds are stacked heavily in the Dutchman's favour.

Nevertheless, as was seen during the United States Grand Prix, Russell expects to witness fireworks between the two drivers, something that is made more likely by the long run down to the first corner in Mexico.

"With Max and Lando second and third, you can probably bet some money there'll be a bit of action one way or another," the 26-year-old told media Viaplay.

"I have a great position... just relax and watch it happen. It's going to be an interesting race. I don't expect us [Mercedes] to be in the fight, but if they're battling with one another, maybe we can [be]."

'I'm disappointed with myself'

Despite qualifying on the third row in Mexico, Russell felt his final qualifying lap was one of his best this year.

The two-time grand prix winner out-performed team-mate Lewis Hamilton, who finished one position below on a newer floor than the one being run on Russell's W15.

Having crashed heavily during practice, his second significant accident in the space of a weekend, he did acknowledge the pressure he has put Mercedes under, admitting he was "disappointed" in himself.

"[I'm] happy to be honest," he said, reflecting on the session. "Definitely one of my best laps of the season. 

"We're still racing on the car from Miami, so it's 14 races old, because of the incidents that I've had.

"And I've put so much pressure on the team with the work last night, the work in Austin, so in this regard, I'm disappointed with myself, but I've just been pushing so hard to get more, but to end up P5 is a good recovery."