Lewis Hamilton hopes strategy can see Ferrari secure back-to-back grand prix victories - but admits stopping Mercedes in Austria will be a "tall order".
Hamilton's three-stop tactic reaped rewards in Barcelona last time out as the Brit registered a first triumph since joining the Scuderia ahead of the 2025 season and snapped Kimi Antonelli's five-race winning streak.
The 41-year-old will start from third at the Red Bull Ring on Sunday, one spot behind team-mate Charles Leclerc,
When asked whether he thinks Ferrari can top the podium this weekend, Hamilton said: "I think out of pure pace, no. Mercedes have been very quick this weekend, it was six tenths [on Friday], but maybe with strategy there's an opportunity.
"I think it's a tall order to try to win. We have to maximise points for the team and try to keep one of the Mercedes behind if we can. If we get both of them, that will be mega."
Hamilton added: "It's great having Charles here as well because we can hopefully work together in a strategy and try to apply pressure to [Mercedes].
"On Friday, we were quite far off, and we didn't really understand why. But we made some changes to the car and closed that gap. I think we took a step forward for the race.
"Whether that will be enough to challenge the Mercedes, I doubt it, but if there's an opportunity, I will do everything to take it. It's a long way to Turn 3, so hopefully we're in a good fight."
The lengthy stretch to Turn 3 Hamilton mentioned means there could be jockeying for position up to that point and Russell feels there will be "challenges from everybody" in the race as he looks to turn his pole position into a second victory of the campaign.
The Mercedes driver said: "[Ferrari] are super-fast and it's going to be a challenge having the two of them nearby. We saw Lewis in Barcelona, how great his pace was.
"I think it will be challenging for them to overtake us in the straights because we've got the straight-line advantage. But they've got the advantage in the corners.
"If they're splitting strategy or putting us under pressure, it may be difficult to hold on to."
Championship leader Antonelli will start from fourth, ahead of Red Bull's Max Verstappen.
Verstappen's late crash in qualifying sparked the yellow-flag drama that led to Antonelli aborting his final lap, with the young Italian believing it was a double yellow.
McLaren duo Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri complete the top eight.
Russell added: "Kimi is going to be super-fast. The McLarens have looked really fast.
"I don't know how Max's last lap was looking but he was right up there with those new upgrades in the Red Bull, so there's a huge fight on our hands from all angles."
Looking ahead to the race, Antonelli, who leads Hamilton by 41 points in the drivers' standings, said: "We'll try to do our best. For sure, it's not going to be easy, especially with tyres. Degradation is going to be high and we'll try to do our best. There's a lot to play for."
Sunday June 28
7.35am: F3 Feature Race
9.05am: F2 Feature Race
10.50am: Porsche Supercup
12.30pm: Austrian GP build-up: Grand Prix Sunday*
2pm: THE AUSTRIAN GRAND PRIX*
4pm: Austrian GP reaction: Chequered Flag
5pm: Ted's Notebook
*Also on Your Site Main Event
Formula 1's European season continues with the Austrian Grand Prix lights out on Sunday at 2pm, build-up from 12.30pm, live on Your Site F1 and Main Event. .
