Zak Brown singles out ‘really good’ non-McLaren driver for praise during Abu Dhabi GP

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McLaren team principal Zak Brown has suggested that Mercedes driver George Russell looks really quick this weekend at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Brown was being interviewed ahead of Saturday afternoon’s qualifying session at the Yas Marina circuit.

The American team boss has had a very busy weekend during the final Grand Prix of the year.

He had IndyCar star Pato O’Ward in Lando Norris’s car for the first practice session and the 24-year-old did very well, finishing less than half a second behind Oscar Piastri.

There was then the announcement that McLaren have extended their partnership with Mercedes to continue using their engines until 2030.

With testing time reduced due to red flags in Free Practice 2, it meant drivers had to adapt quickly to the rapidly cooling track.

Zak Brown admitted that George Russell looked very quick in his Mercedes and expected him to be even quicker as the weekend went on.

Russell out-qualified his teammate and looked very quick in Las Vegas, losing four positions as he crossed the chequered flag because of a five-second time penalty.

He’s been very unlucky this season but looks in good shape to end the year on a high in Abu Dhabi.

Brown praises Mercedes driver Russell

Asked if he thought there was a variety of fuel loads being used in practice, Brown said: “I think there usually is and engine modes, but we’re definitely competitive.

“Mercedes looks really good, [George] Russell I think has more to come, you don’t know what Red Bull was doing and I find it hard to believe they won’t be right up there when it counts.

“I think we’re competitive so feeling pretty good.”

Russell ended qualifying by splitting the two McLarens with his Mercedes which will probably frustrate Brown ahead of tomorrow’s race.

Lando Norris made a mistake during his final run that ended his chances of starting on the front row of the grid.

His teammate Oscar Piastri impressed once again and will start third behind, Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc.

Their fight is with Aston Martin in the Constructors’ Championship and right now they look in great shape.

Russell is attempting to help Mercedes protect a four-point lead over Ferrari and Leclerc starting on the front row is going to make that difficult.

It should be a very exciting race and might be even better if someone can stop Verstappen racing off into the distance going into turn one.