George Russell has described his first podium in Mercedes colours as "special" but conceded that the team still need to rely on the misfortune of others to score the big points. Mercedes finished third and fourth in Melbourne at an Australian Grand Prix that saw both Ferrari's Carlos Sainz and Red Bull's Max Verstappen retire from the race. Despite struggling once again during qualifying, Mercedes performed well in the race and the W13 remains a reliable machine, with Russell taking advantage of a Safety Car to jump up to third. "We've got to be in it to win it and capitalise from others' misfortune," said Russell post-race. "Obviously, we've got a little bit lucky today, probably twice, but you know we'll take it. "There's so much hard work going on back at base, in Brackley and Brixworth, to try and get it back to the front, so to be standing on the podium is special.
Russell: If anyone can fight back, Mercedes can
Russell now finds himself second in the World Championship standings - behind runaway leader Charles Leclerc - and is hopeful that he can stay in the fight as Mercedes push to find performance in their car. "We're never going to give up," Russell made clear. "We've got to keep on fighting and this weekend we were a long way behind our rivals, but here we are standing on the podium. "We've got to keep it up while we're on the back foot, and I'm sure we'll get there after a few more races. "I think it's going to take some time until we can fight these boys in red and blue. They look pretty exceptional at the moment, but if anyone can [catch up], Mercedes can."
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