Russell sets sights on podium after stunning Williams tyre gamble

George Russell has set his sights on another Williams podium declaring there is "nothing to lose" after a stunning tyre gamble led to third position on the grid for the Russian Grand Prix.

The British driver was the first to make the jump on to slick tyres on a track that was still damp through the final sector, using his extra tyre warm-up to his advantage and qualifying third behind McLaren's Lando Norris and Ferrari's Carlos Sainz.

The tricky conditions were highlighted by Lewis Hamilton hitting the pit wall on intermediates before spinning on soft tyres in the final sector.

It is the second time Russell has reached the top three in qualifying in four races after another tyre gamble by Williams was followed up by a stellar lap time in Belgium.

"It is crazy!" said an overjoyed Russell. "The second time in the top three in four events. The team has done an amazing job once again, pitting at the right time, putting the right tyres on.

"It was tricky out there, there was one dry line and if you were just a couple of centimetres too wide you would have been on the wet stuff and you would have been off.

"Well done to Lando and Carlos. I am excited for tomorrow."

On his prospects for the race on Sunday, Russell added: "I am really looking forward to it.

"Our high-fuel pace was one of the best of the year. It is still a long way behind these guys and the Mercedes are behind us.

"We will have a battle on our hands but we have some nice straight-line speed. We have got to go for the podium again, nothing to lose."

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