Sky Sports Channel Logo
  • F1

  • Drivers

George Russell News

News

  • News
  • Results
  • Previous Seasons
More from F1
  • F1 Home
  • Drivers

Belgian GP: George Russell embraces 'strange' first F1 podium as qualifying heroics count

George Russell seals his first F1 podium in bizarre circumstances after finishing second in Belgian GP, which only lasted two laps behind the Safety Car as torrential rain hit Spa

By Matt Morlidge

Last Updated: 29/08/21 8:51pm

George Russell, who was the star of the show on Saturday for Williams, picked up his first F1 podium in bizarre circumstances

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Sky Sports

George Russell, who was the star of the show on Saturday for Williams, picked up his first F1 podium in bizarre circumstances
George Russell, who was the star of the show on Saturday for Williams, picked up his first F1 podium in bizarre circumstances

George Russell admitted his maiden F1 podium was "strange" but said that "doesn't matter" after the Williams star's qualifying heroics essentially clinched his race second place on a wet and weird Belgian GP on Sunday.

Russell also revealed that Williams believed he had the "17th fastest car" - highlighting his achievement on the previous day, while also illuminating the challenge he had awaiting him were the race to have started as normal.

Amid heavy rain and poor visibility at Spa-Francorchamps, the race began more than three hours later than planned and then only lasted two laps - both completed behind the Safety Car.

It was the shortest race in F1 history, but the two laps meant an official result and classification was reached, albeit only awarding half points to the top-10. Russell, by qualifying second, therefore finished second and stood on the podium with race-winner Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton.

Twitter Due to your consent preferences, you’re not able to view this Privacy Options

"It doesn't matter," said the British driver about his second place and the way he secured it.

Russell added to Sky Sports F1: "I have to admit, it was quite a strange feeling because earning this podium without really doing any race laps, I don't think I've had this in my whole career - let alone for a Formula 1 race!

  • The story of a bizarre Belgian GP
  • Lewis Hamilton labels Belgian GP a 'farce'

"I guess I'm not quite as elated as I ordinarily would be, but going back to the garage, celebrating with the guys, trophy in one hand, champagne in the other, I'm sure we'll all remember this for a long, long time."

Russell's podium in a Williams that has run towards the back of the field for most of the season came on the back of his first points for the team at the last race in Hungary.

In the strangest of circumstances, Russell has his first F1 podium

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Sky Sports

In the strangest of circumstances, Russell has his first F1 podium
In the strangest of circumstances, Russell has his first F1 podium

"We'll take it no matter what and we've also got to remember it was only last race where we scored our first points together in Williams, in our third season," he said. "And here we are standing on the podium at the Belgian GP. If you told me that at the start of the year, I'd have said no way.

"Obviously if the race went ahead today, it would have been incredibly difficult to hold our position. Our strategist had us down as the 17th fastest car on the grid!

Also See:

  • Hamilton: Belgian GP 'a farce'
  • Belgian GP report: F1's shortest race

"To try and fight for podiums with the 17th fastest car would have been very difficult but you've got to take it as it comes, the hard work was done yesterday. "

With his nine points, Russell now has 13 for the season and is 15th in the championship. He is hoping to land the Mercedes seat next to Hamilton next season, in a head-to-head battle with current Silver Arrows driver Valtteri Bottas.

Trending

  • 1
    Deadline Day LIVE! Arsenal, Chelsea, Newcastle, Spurs latest
  • 2
    Papers: Chelsea could make last-ditch Caicedo bid
  • 3
    Arsenal seriously considering move for Chelsea's Jorginho
  • 4
    Top transfers that could still happen on Deadline Day
  • 5
    Arsenal transfer rumours: Gunners weigh up £75m Caicedo bid
  • 6
    £495m on 17 new players - and counting! But what is Chelsea's best XI?
  • 7
    Man Utd transfer rumours: Maguire rejects Inter Milan loan move
  • 8
    Chelsea close to agreeing Fernandez deal as Blues make £105.6m bid
  • 9
    Haas to kick off F1 launch season with updated look | What's new on 2023 cars?
  • 10
    Why are Chelsea so desperate to sign Enzo Fernandez?
  • Video
  • Latest News
  • Home
  • Sports
    • Football
    • F1
    • Cricket
    • Rugby Union
    • Rugby League
    • Golf
    • Boxing
    • NFL
    • Tennis
    • Racing
    • Darts
    • NBA
    • Netball
    • GAA
    • MMA
    • More Sports
  • Scores
  • Video
  • TV
  • Sky Bet
  • Games
  • More
    • Transfer Centre
    • Live on Sky
    • Get Sky Sports
    • TV Shows
    • TV Guide
    • Sky Go
    • Now TV
    • Kick It Out
    • Black Lives Matter
    • Sky Zero
    • Podcasts
    • Mobile
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • Contact Us
    • Work @ Sky Sports
    • Terms & Conditions
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Sky Sports
    • Get Sky Sports
    • Sky Sports Apps
    • Sportinglife.com
    • TEAMtalk.com
    • Football365.com
  • Partners
    • Sky Bet
    • Fantasy Football
    • Super 6
    • Planet Rugby
    • Golf365
    • Planet F1
    • Cricket365
  • Sky Sports Channels
    • Sky Sports Main Event
    • Sky Sports Premier League
    • Sky Sports Football
    • Sky Sports Cricket
    • Sky Sports Golf
    • Sky Sports Racing
    • Sky Sports F1
    • Sky Sports Action
    • Sky Sports Arena
    • Sky Sports News
    • Sky Sports Mix
  • More Sky Sites
    • Sky.com
    • Sky News
    • Sky Group
    • Sky For Businesses
    • Work @ Sky Sports
    • NOW TV
    • Sky Communal TV
    • Bigger Picture
    • Store Locator
    • Advertise With Us
    • Sky TV Accessories
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy & Cookies Notice
  • Privacy Options
  • Accessibility Information
  • Contact Us

Sky Sports Channel Logo ©2023 Sky UK