The Australian track had Mercedes drivers facing a rollercoaster of emotions. Kimi Antonelli, the rookie, had a rough start. He was sent out on medium tires in Q1. Those tires didn't work well for him, so he switched to soft tires. Unfortunately, he hit some gravel and slid over the kerbs, damaging his car's floor. This meant he couldn't set a good time and was out of the race. Meanwhile, George Russell had a better time. He made it all the way to Q3 and secured a spot on the grid with a strong 4th place.

Russell was happy with his performance. He knew the team had struggled with tire issues in the past. The team worked hard to figure out why the soft tires weren't working as well as the medium and hard tires. They found some improvements and Russell was able to push forward. He was a bit disappointed with his Q3 performance, losing time in the last corners. He also mentioned that Kimi had shown great speed and would soon be challenging for the top spots.

Kimi Antonelli wasn't too pleased with his qualifying session. He hit the exit kerb at turn six, causing significant floor damage. This made the car bottom out on the straights, losing a lot of performance. He knew he could have done better if not for the damage. Starting at P16 wasn't ideal, especially when he had shown good pace in FP3. He was looking forward to the race, hoping the rain would give him some opportunities.

Toto Wolff, the head of Mercedes-Benz Motorsport, was encouraged by the team's performance. They showed improved speed in FP3 after making some changes overnight. The McLarens were impressive, having a couple of tenths advantage over Mercedes on the optimal lap. Overall, it was a good start to the new season. Kimi's misfortune was a learning experience, and he would have an exciting race trying to come through the pack.

Andrew Shovlin, the Trackside Engineering Director, noted that the team had a solid start in FP3. The drivers were happy with the car's balance. George's session went well, progressing through to Q3. His first effort in the final segment put him in P2, but he dropped back slightly to P4. The wet weather forecast for tomorrow's race meant there was still plenty of opportunity for him to move forward and fight for the podium.

GEORGE RUSSELL

Mercedes' Mixed Start in Australia

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