George Russell says he is not at 100 per cent health but it fit enough to participate in this weekend’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
It is understood that Williams had a contingency plan in place in the event that Russell was not able to drive the squad’s FW42 for the remainder of the weekend.
The team's 2018 racer Sergey Sirotkin was on standby due to reserve and 2020 signing Nicholas Latifi competing in the clashing Formula 2 round at the Yas Marina Circuit.
But Russell was cleared to drive and will see out the remainder of the 2019 season as expected.
“I’ve not been feeling great,” said Russell. “The guys at Hinsta [Performance] are overlooking everything, but I’m feeling good to drive, that’s the most important thing.
“I won’t expand on it [the condition]. It’s not an illness. It’s just something different. I’ll expand when the time’s right.”
On why Williams needed to have a back-up plan, Russell said: “I feel when you’re sat at home on your hotel bed versus how you are when you’re driving are two different things.
“I felt alright last night but I didn’t know how I’d feel today. It’ll all make sense when I explain, but as I said the time’s not right now.
“The number one priority has been looking after myself, and it was always the idea that’d we’d assess after practice but obviously the team needed a back-up plan.
“I don’t feel 100 per cent but I’m well enough to drive.”
Russell finished the second practice session in 19th position, almost a second clear of outgoing Williams team-mate Robert Kubica.
Discussion about this post