Mercedes’ George Russell defies expectations in Shanghai, turning a risky tire call into a second straight podium finish with cool composure.
George Russell claimed his second podium in as many weekends, finishing third at the Chinese Grand Prix—an outcome he admits came a bit easier than expected.
The Mercedes driver initially feared tire wear would be a major issue, but the hard compound held up better than anticipated, allowing him to make just one pit stop without much trouble.
“It was a great race and a really strong result—I’m very happy,” Russell said after stepping off the podium. “McLaren were definitely quicker today, but we picked up some valuable points.” He also took a moment to thank the Chinese fans for their support throughout the weekend.
Russell revealed that early on, he realized a one-stop strategy could work: “It turned out to be easier than we all thought. The car felt good all weekend—honestly, this has been my best all-around performance in Formula 1 so far.”
That said, the race wasn’t without its challenges. “Charles put me under a lot of pressure after the pit stop, and there were a few intense laps battling Lando. But overall, it was a clean and controlled race.”
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George Russell delivers a standout drive in China George Russell delivers a standout drive in China
