George Russell was relieved to finish third in Abu Dhabi and help Mercedes clinch second place in the championship after “letting the side down a couple of times this year”.
The Briton entered the final round of the Formula 1 season resigned to finishing eighth overall, having previously labelled it as a year of “missed opportunities” for him.
After losing out to Lando Norris at the start, Russell, who started fourth, regained the position when the McLaren driver endured a slow stop at the first round of pit stops.
Although Sergio Perez overhauled him in the closing laps, the Mexican’s five-second time penalty for an earlier clash with Lando Norris promoted Russell back into the top three.
Russell’s podium and team-mate Lewis Hamilton’s ninth place ensured Mercedes edged out Ferrari, who only scored courtesy of Charles Leclerc’s valiant run to second.
“It was tight with Checo at the end,” Russell reflected. “I thought Charles was going to back me up but respect to him for keeping it clean and can chill out now.”
With Red Bull opting to shorten Perez’s final stint to leave him with a greater tyre offset against those ahead, Russell admits that he was powerless to prevent being overtaken.
“I came out of the pits on the second set of Hards, I was managing a bit and then Checo just came from nowhere. So I don’t know what happened there, they had great pace.
“It was really tense at the end the tyres were dropping off, but just really pleased to have secured P2 for the team. And we’re going to have a few drinks tonight.”
Russell conceded that he had been ill in the build-up to the Abu Dhabi weekend, adding that it was a “long race” where he was “coughing every single lap” for the duration.
“It was pretty miserable out there which didn’t help things. But I’d say it’s just [a] massive relief to have brought the car home in P3,” Russell summarised.
“I can’t believe it’s only the second podium of the year, but really happy to end the season this way.”
However, Russell, who ended the year 59 points behind Hamilton, was grateful that he rounded out the campaign by playing a pivotal role in Mercedes securing second.
“I can’t believe it’s only the second podium of the year, but really happy to end the season this way,” he addressed.
“There’s so many people back at the factory in Brackley and Brixworth who worked so hard to to achieve this, it has been a really challenging season.”
“I’ve let the side down a couple of times this year, so pleased to have brought it across the line today.”
