'Third podium gives us plenty of confidence for the future'

GEORGE Russell has given some insight into the various problems he battled in the closing stages of the Bahrain Grand Prix, all while trying to keep Lando Norris at bay for second position, as he avoided any potential post-race penalty for a DRS infringement.

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Mercedes driver Russell, from Wisbech, started Sunday night's race from third on the grid but managed to jump Ferrari's Charles Leclerc into Turn 1, after which he remained leader Oscar Piastri’s closest challenger.

Then, following a mid-race safety car, Russell found himself on soft tyres for his final stint compared to the medium and hards around him, setting up an intriguing finish as different strategies played out under the Sakhir lights.

However, the Briton’s task of managing that softer rubber for more than 20 laps was made even more challenging by issues that developed aboard his car - allowing third-placed Norris to close in but not quite find a way past.