Russell added that he was nervous about any rear drama – and a potential Safety Car – hampering his route to victory, with the Briton relieved to reach the finish unscathed and take the valuable win.

“I was just waiting for something to happen,” he noted. “The two races in which I have been on pole before, there was always chaos, rain, drought, something was always happening…

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“I was like, ‘I’m confident, I’ve got a good gap,’ but I was just waiting for something to happen, but it didn’t. I think our luck has turned around and I am so happy now.”