Russell ‘well enough to drive’ in Abu Dhabi GP

Williams Formula 1 driver George Russell says he will contest the remainder of the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend despite feeling unwell.

Russell declined to reveal why he had been feeling under the weather but after taking part in both Friday practice sessions at Yas Marina, he confirmed he is not feeling 100 percent but is “well enough to drive”.

The British rookie ended the day with the 19th-fastest time and was nearly a full second quicker than teammate Robert Kubica. 

“It’s not an illness, it’s just something different,” Russell explained. “I’ll expand when the time’s right but it’s not now.

“How you feel when your 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% but I’m well enough to drive.”

Williams has no nominated reserve driver for the 2019 season and would have needed to call on one with the superlicence points required to take part in a grand prix weekend.

Newly-signed Nicholas Latifi, who will replace the departing Kubica at the British squad next season, does not currently hold sufficient super licence points to participate but is on course to seal runner-up spot in the Formula 2 championship and therefore earn the points he needs for 2020.