Asked to reflect on the opening few seconds of the race, Russell beamed: “I was channelling my inner Alonso from [2011]… That was such an iconic start.
“I knew the weather was saying it was going to be a big headwind into that corner and I knew I could brake really, really deep and caught the guys off-guard.
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“I was sort of dreaming of that [on Saturday] night. I didn’t quite think it would come to fruition as it did, so that was fun!”
Russell ultimately crossed the line in fourth place after a slow pit stop and a late-race battle with Hamilton, who managed to edge ahead and score his first podium of the season.