Spanish GP “a survival race” for Mercedes F1 due to overheating

Russell benefited from the retirement of early leader Charles Leclerc to run in third place in the closing stages with team-mate Lewis Hamilton behind him when the pair both suffered a water leak, which allowed Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz to pass the seven-time world champion on the penultimate lap.

The issue also pushed Russell onto the defensive, but he held off the Spaniard to take the third podium spot, his second of the season after Australia, albeit 20 seconds behind…