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George Russell has detailed the defensive tactics he employed to fend off Lewis Hamilton's late charge for a podium spot at the Dutch Grand Prix.
The Mercedes driver started second at Zandvoort but was overtaken by teammate Andrea Kimi Antonelli on the opening lap. Russell managed to get ahead of the young Italian after the pit stops, but with the championship leader on an alternative strategy with different tire life, the Briton was instructed to yield in the later stages of the race, allowing Antonelli to reclaim second position.
As a result, Russell found himself under pressure from a surging Hamilton, who was leading both Ferrari cars in a charge through the field towards the end of the race.
"It was tough," Russell stated after the race, when asked how he managed to keep the seven-time world champion behind him. "I think my race and Kimi's were somewhat opposite. I had a difficult stint on the medium tires, while his was very strong. Then I had a strong stint on the hard tires, and he struggled. But the Virtual Safety Car gave Lewis a free pit stop, and obviously Kimi also pitted. From that point on, I knew I would be under threat, but I managed to maintain good enough pace through the high-speed corners, which allowed me to be quick in sector three and defend into Turn 1. So, I'm pleased with that performance," he explained.
In the provisional standings, Russell sits second with 183 points, level with third-placed Hamilton, who has one less victory. Both drivers are 59 points behind Antonelli ahead of the Italian's home race next week.
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