Optimistic Russell: 'Fastest on track today after Max'

The Briton started the sprint race from tenth position, partly due to some tug-of-war with teammate Lewis Hamilton in the Sprint Shootout, but eventually fought his way back to eighth. With that, Russell grabbed the final point, but according to him, there was much more in store. "I'll take the positives. I think it was the fastest car on track after Max [Verstappen]. I probably lost three positions, I think, or two positions in the pit lane. But, yes, to come back to P8, super close to P5. I think two more laps would have been P5. Yes, a bit of optimism for Sunday," said the Mercedes driver.

In addition, Russell also looks back on his pit stop. He decided, unlike many others, to wait a lap before switching to intermediates. "It was my decision to pit one lap after the restart, which ultimately was the wrong call, so I'll take that," Russell admits honestly. He says he discussed this with the team beforehand, but fearing a possible safety car on the first lap and frenzy in the pit lane, the Briton eventually made the choice to wait a lap.