Live: Russell ‘lucky’ to finish Qatar sprint after ‘sketchy’ Piastri moves

George Russell expressed relief at finishing the Qatar Grand Prix sprint race, describing it as “lucky” after intense battles with McLaren’s Oscar Piastri. The Mercedes driver had a challenging encounter with Piastri, who he said made “sketchy” defensive moves during their wheel-to-wheel racing. Russell noted that while hard racing is part of the sport, some of Piastri’s defensive maneuvers pushed the limits of what’s acceptable. “There were a few moments where I thought we wouldn’t make it through cleanly,” Russell stated, emphasizing the importance of mutual respect in tight battles. Despite the tension, both drivers managed to avoid significant incidents. Piastri’s aggressive driving style has been a talking point this season, as the rookie continues to impress with his pace and fearlessness. The sprint race added to his growing reputation but also highlighted the challenges of racing on the edge. For Russell and Mercedes, it was another reminder of the increasingly competitive midfield battles, with McLaren emerging as a strong rival. The incident-filled sprint race underscored the unpredictability of F1’s