Unwell Russell says he is able to drive

George Russell says he is able to drive despite suffering a medical problem this weekend.

Williams is believed to have explored options in case Russell has to be replaced before qualifying tomorrow. However following today’s practice sessions Russell said he feels able to drive.

“I feel all right,” he said. “Not a hundred percent. That’s all really. When the time’s right I’ll explain what’s going on. It’s a bit of an odd situation, but I’m good to drive for the rest of the weekend.”

He admitted he didn’t realise how the problem was affecting him until he began driving today. “I knew how I was feeling at home and last night when I was in the hotel room. But how you are in the hotel versus what you like on track are two different things.

“It will all make sense when when the time is right to say but that’s not now and just need to speak with the doctors. But like I said, that session was good for me and I feel fine.”

Russell reported he was satisfied with his car’s balance but not its lap times, where were over a second slower than the next-worst car.

“The car was fairly nice to drive – probably one of the best of year it was feeling, to be honest – but the pace was pretty slow. So we need to try and understand why when the car’s feeling good we’re not as fast.

“It is tricky on this circuit. Obviously the conditions change a lot from first to second practice, the track’s getting colder and cooler as the night progresses. But I was enjoying it and it was good fun to the drive.”

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