The Mercedes driver, ranging from his maiden F1 pole place, opted to start the Hungary race on delicate tyres whereas the Ferraris instantly behind him picked the mediums.
With a heavy rain bathe forecast for the beginning of the race, Russell stated he was “rubbing his fingers collectively” in anticipation to make use of the delicate tyre benefit that are higher suited to run in slippery circumstances.
However as soon as the rain did not materialise, he was saved in verify by the Ferraris and compelled to pit earlier, leaving him uncovered on the mediums later within the race.
“It was at all times going to be a difficult afternoon as a result of there was rain within the air all through,” Russell stated, having completed third. “Normally when you find yourself on pole place and it’s spitting you’re fairly dissatisfied however realizing that I used to be on the delicate tyres I used to be form of rubbing my fingers collectively.
“I made a extremely good begin, the primary 4 laps had been actually sturdy and pulled the hole to 3 seconds to Carlos [Sainz] and sadly the rain stopped so the medium tyres got here into their very own however we nonetheless had first stint and we pitted early on each events to cowl Max and canopy the Ferraris and in the end Max was too quick for us at this time.
“That put us in a really difficult place in that final stint on the mediums and I used to be already struggling a bit and my engineer stated 25 laps to go and the rain began falling and temperatures had been dropping so I believed it was going to be a difficult previous couple of laps.”
George Russell, Mercedes W13, Charles Leclerc, Ferrari F1-75
Photograph by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
Having been leapfrogged by Verstappen within the second spherical of pitstops, Russell then conceded place to Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton who was on the delicate tyres for the ultimate stint to drop to 3rd by the end after maintaining away from Sainz.
“Lewis did a tremendous job and had far superior tempo on the finish, he had a really sturdy center stint,” Russell stated.
“I feel as a staff we have lots to be proud about, we did every little thing proper for each of us, to provide us as a staff the very best alternative to battle for victory. Sadly it did not go our means at this time however as a staff we did every little thing proper.”
Russell has moved as much as fourth place within the F1 drivers’ standings, two factors forward of Sainz, due to his fifth podium of the season.
