'Got to remember what our goal this weekend is' – Russell and Mercedes look to seal P2 in Teams' Championship in Qatar

George Russell has stated "we've got to remember what our goal this weekend is", as Mercedes eye the runner-up spot in the Teams' Championship ahead of the Qatar Grand Prix.

The Briton will start Sunday's 57-lap race at the Lusail International Circuit from fourth on the grid, having started and finished P2 in the weekend's earlier Sprint, finishing between the McLarens of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris.

Mercedes sit 41 points ahead of Red Bull in the Teams' standings and would require a margin of only 44 to guarantee second in the standings ahead of Abu Dhabi.

"Not really because it's so tight out there," said Russell when asked if he was surprised to be beaten by Max Verstappen in Qualifying.

"We knew it was going to be tight, my lap yesterday was maybe slightly better than the one today so it is annoying to miss out on P3 by such a small margin but we've got to remember what our goal this weekend is and that's to finish P2 in the Constructors'. Between Kimi and I, we're in a good place to achieve that."

With drivers required to make a minimum of two pit stops in the Grand Prix due to a 25-lap limit on all Pirelli tyres, Russell was hopeful of pushing the two McLarens and Verstappen ahead.

"The pace did look strong in the Sprint, up there with Lando and Max," he added. "I think Max had a bit more tyre wear than we did when we saw the photographs of his tyres.

"Let's see if we can move forward, I'm sure those guys will be pushing full gas but fortunately the strategy is defined for us."

Team mate Kimi Antonelli will start directly behind Russell having finished the Sprint in P6 and was happier with a cleaner Qualifying in general.

"Definitely was a big improvement compared to yesterday," he said.

"I'm not too happy about the last lap in Q3, I had a big moment in Turn 1 and just lost quite a bit of time and just lost momentum to be fair.

"The lap was a bit scrappy, but overall still P5 and lot to play for tomorrow."