George Russell explains why he was confident of a podium or ‘even victory’ prior to red flag in Monaco

George Russell has praised Mercedes for one of their “best weekends” at the Monaco Grand Prix, with the Briton finishing in P5 – after initially hoping that an even better result could be on the cards prior to the Lap 1 red flag.

Having started on a different tyre to the four drivers ahead of him on the grid, Russell was feeling positive about his prospects – which then improved even more when Carlos Sainz suffered a puncture on the opening lap following contact with Oscar Piastri, resulting in the Ferrari going straight on at Casino and thus promoting Russell into fourth.

READ MORE: Leclerc clinches long-awaited home win in Monaco ahead of Piastri and Sainz after early drama

However, a heavy crash further back between Sergio Perez, Kevin Magnussen and Nico Hulkenberg caused the red flags to be thrown, allowing everybody the opportunity to change their tyres during the stoppage – including Sainz, who then slotted back into P3 for the restart – and putting paid to Russell’s hopes of glory.

“When we lined up on the grid the first time and we were on the hards, the four drivers ahead were on the mediums, I was like, ‘this is perfect’,” he explained after the race.

“Then when Carlos had his puncture, I genuinely thought, ‘we’ve got a shot here’ – minimum for podium, potentially even victory, being on that different strategy.