George Russell was delighted after fending off competition from Lewis Hamilton to win the Belgian Grand Prix on Sunday.
The 26-year-old, who nursed his tyres for over half of the race, secured his spot at the top of a podium after a terrific performance at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit.
Russell was happy after his win, celebrating it with staff, with the Mercedes star adding to his triumph in Austria earlier in the year.
And the youngster, speaking to Sky Sports after his brilliant display, has now opened up on how the win came about – while also praising Hamilton for finishing second.
George Russell won the Belgian Grand Prix on Sunday, with the Mercedes star fending off competition from team-mate Lewis Hamilton to reign supreme
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“Amazing result! Definitely didn’t predict this win this morning in our strategy meeting,” he said.
“The car was feeling awesome. We made a lot of changes from Friday night and the tyres felt great. I kept saying ‘I think we could do a one-stop’.
“The strategy did a great job. Well done to Lewis. He really controlled that race.
“If the circumstances were different, I’m sure he would have got the victory. One-two for the team is an awesome.”
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Russell’s victory was achieved with the Mercedes star pitting just once throughout the race.
He says it was a ‘team effort’, however, with the 26-year-old delighted that Hamilton could make it a one-two for the Silver Arrows.
“I was focusing a lot during the race. I will have to listen back to the radio comms!” he added.
“It was a team effort. We rolled the dice but it was only possible because the car felt great and the pace was there. A one-two is a great result.”
As for Hamilton, the Stevenage-born racer admitted the result had been a pleasant surprise.
The seven-time F1 champion said: “No we definitely didn’t (expect that).
“First I have to say congratulations to George and to the team.
“We had such a disaster on Friday. The car was really nowhere. We made some changes, hard to see what it was going to feel like because of the wet yesterday, but the car was fantastic today and we really owe it to everyone, both here doing a solid job with pit stops and strategy, and the guys back at the factory.”
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George Russell produced a brilliant display to win the Belgian Grand Prix
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Mercedes chief Toto Wolff, meanwhile, was delighted with the exploits of both of his drivers.
“It’s incredible. We were nowhere,” he said.
“We changed a few things on the car and today we’ve been clearly ahead of everyone.”
George Russell has praised Lewis Hamilton after beating his Mercedes team-mate to win the Belgian Grand Prix
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When asked about Russell stopping just once, he added: “We didn’t think it was possible but at a certain stage we said, let’s stay out, because we were going to finish fifth anyway, both scenarios.
“He stayed out and in the end he made it last.”