Russell says Albon is 'being made to look like an idiot'

Red Bull driver Alex Albon

George Russell thinks Alex Albon is "being made to look like an idiot" after the Red Bull driver failed to make it through to the final qualifying session at the Hungarian Grand Prix.

Albon will start Sunday's race at the Hungaroring in 13th place and his team-mate Max Verstappen was only seventh fastest as Mercedes dominated yet again, Lewis Hamilton taking pole ahead of Valtteri Bottas.

British-born Thai driver Albon was fourth in the Styrian Grand Prix last weekend but missed out on Q3 six days later.

Russell, who took an impressive 12th spot for the third race of the Formula One season, says his close friend Albon deserves much better.

"I've known Alex for the last 15 years, been in the same paddock as him, you know he's one of the best drivers we all race," the Williams driver said.

"Max, Charles [Leclerc], all of us will say it, he's always been at the front in everything he's done and I don't know what the hell is going on.

"I feel really bad for him because he's being made to look like an idiot and he's absolutely not. He's won in everything he's done, so I don't know what is going on, but they need to sort it out for him."

CLASSIFICATION: END OF Q3

A 90th career pole for @LewisHamilton as @RacingPointF1 lock out the second row #HungarianGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/Ei12EbLElH

— Formula 1 (@F1) July 18, 2020

Russell matched the career-best qualifying result he achieved in Spielberg last weekend and, with team-mate Nicholas Latifi 15th on the grid, the Englishman is encouraged by the progress Williams have made.

He said: "The car came alive in qualifying in these cooler conditions and I had a lot of fun out there. Again, I did not expect to be this fast, the car was feeling great and I had a good rhythm. 

"It was a shame about the Q2 lap, we had some traffic and I think Q3 was possible, which would have been amazing. But P12, considering where we were last year, was incredible.

"I love driving this track flat out, it was great fun and I'm proud of the boys and girls to get that result again. Fingers crossed we get a bit of rain tomorrow; we could do with that and we could be on for a good result. I am ready to fight, and hopefully we have a successful race."

Verstappen urged Russell to concentrate on what Williams are doing rather than have his say on Red Bull.

"George doesn't know anything about the team, so I think it's better he focuses on his team rather than speaking about someone else," he said.