Nico Rosberg saw George Russell do something ‘really special’ at Hungarian Grand Prix

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Nico Rosberg saw Mercedes driver George Russell do something ‘really, really special’ during Formula 1’s third and final practice session for the 2024 Hungarian Grand Prix.

The Hungaroring played host to one, final 60-minute session on Saturday morning as the 10 teams prepared their cars for qualifying. Russell has enjoyed a top run of form in qualifying of late with the 26-year-old scoring pole position at the Canadian GP and also the British GP.

Only Russell has so far given Mercedes a pole position in 2024 ahead of the Hungarian GP. The best that Lewis Hamilton has managed in qualifying this term was second on the grid at Silverstone. But the 39-year-old won the British GP for Hamilton’s ninth victory at the circuit.

Nico Rosberg saw George Russell produce a ‘special’ lap at the Hungarian GP

Yet Russell enjoyed the early advantage over Hamilton in the Mercedes garage in FP3 for the Hungarian GP. The Briton shot to the top of the timesheet ahead of Lando Norris of McLaren at the halfway stage. He set a 16:826 whilst lapping with a set of the soft compound tyres.

READ MORE: Five unforgettable Hungarian Grand Prix including Alonso and Hamilton’s spat

Hamilton improved his time to slot into second place 10 minutes after Russell completed his run. But Rosberg could only praise how Russell hauled his W15 around the Hungaroring with the Briton producing a ‘phenomenal’ lap whilst the circuit was not in its absolute best state.

He told Sky Sports F1 (20/7, 12:00): “I think we just saw a really, really special lap against from George. Which he’s been showing so often this year. Phenomenal lap from George.”

Mercedes are not in McLaren and Red Bull’s league at the Hungaroring

The final flyers of FP3 saw Russell fall down the timesheet, though, as McLaren and Red Bull opened an advantage. Norris regained the top spot with a 1:16.098 to set the pace ahead of qualifying for the Hungarian GP. Russell’s fastest time was nearly half a second off the pace.

McLaren and Red Bull created a tier of their own at the summit with Russell 0.466 down as the top Mercedes driver. Hamilton was only able to get within 0.688 seconds of Norris’ time on his final go. But team principal Toto Wolff expected Mercedes would struggle in Hungary.

With the Hungarian GP expected to be the hottest race so far this season, Russell also fears how Mercedes will perform on Sunday. The Briton has conceded that the Silver Arrows still do not understand why the W15 cannot challenge at the front when the temperature rises.