Starting 5th on the streets of Monte Carlo, Russell was the leading driver to start on hard tyres as the Ferraris and McLarens started on the medium compound. Behind him in 6th and 7th, Verstappen and Hamilton also started on the hards.
On lap one when Sainz had a puncture from contact with Piastri, Russell moved up to fourth. But he was soon back down to fifth after Sainz’s position got reinstated due to the red flag as Zhou Guanyu had not managed to get through sector one when the red flag was waved.
Teams used this opportunity to change their tyres under red flag conditions. It was extremely helpful for those who started on the mediums to switch to hards and go all the way to the chequered flag.
Russell conceded post-race that he dreamt of a podium or win, particularly when Sainz had his puncture. Mercedes and Verstappen would have went a very long way into the race before pitting, hoping for a VSC, Safety Car or red flag to jump the Ferraris and McLarens.
“When we lined up on the grid the first time and we were on the hards and the four drives ahead were on the mediums, I was like, ‘this is perfect’.
“Then when Carlos had his puncture, I genuinely thought, ‘we’ve got a shot here’ – minimum for a podium, potentially even victory – being on that different strategy.
“We were just going to play a bit of a team game to try and boost our chances. But as soon as that red flag came out, everything went out the window.”
Despite the unfavourable circumstances, Russell feels like Monaco has been Mercedes’s strongest weekend in the 2024 season after crossing the chequered flag on 77-lap old medium tyres.
Medium tyres are to be ideally used for up to 35 laps.
Russell also managed to keep Verstappen at bay behind him on the final laps as the Dutch driver had pitted for hards on lap 52. As he did a good of managing his mediums for most of the race, the 26-year-old closed the gap to Lando Norris to less than 5s by the end.
“Seventy-odd laps on that Medium, closing the gap in on Ferrari and McLaren at the end, I think we can arguably say it was probably one of our best weekends.
Russell also had a new upgrade with a revised front wing, thanking the team for their efforts.
“The team have done an amazing job bringing these upgrades to the car. Having the confidence to put on here in Monaco, as well.
“There’s a bit of pressure on my side not to dink it. But I think this has been a real positive, weekend for us. I think we can carry that through to the next races.”
