Russell “disappointed” to miss Australian GP pole with surprise Mercedes pace

Russell pinched second on the grid in the dying moments of qualifying in Melbourne as he ran 0.236s adrift of pacesetter Max Verstappen, who led the way for Red Bull courtesy of a 1m16.732s lap.

Team-mate Lewis Hamilton, meanwhile, will head the second row in third place after running 0.372s behind.

That result marked Mercedes’ best Saturday of its trying season, as it awaits significant upgrades to improve its W14 car, but also reflected a notable overnight…