Motor racing-Russell finds redemption in Singapore victory

By Nick Mulvenney SINGAPORE, Oct 5 (Reuters) – George Russell's pole-to-flag victory at the Singapore Grand Prix on Sunday was all the sweeter for the Mercedes driver because it came at the site of one of the most ignominious moments of his Formula One career. The 27-year-old was fighting with Lando Norris for second place on the last lap at the Marina Bay circuit two years ago when he crashed into the barrier on turn 10 and failed to finish the race. His misfortune continued on Friday when he ploughed his Mercedes into another barrier in practice, but he was flawless from qualifying through to the chequered flag to claim his second win of the season and fifth in Formula One. "It feels amazing, especially after what happened a couple of years ago," he said. "That was a bit of a missed opportunity, but we more than made up for it today." With the departure of Lewis Hamilton for Ferrari and arrival of teenager Kimi Antonelli for this season, Russell has had to take up the role of senior driver at the Mercedes team. The maturity of his drive on Sunday suggested it is a position he is growing into. "This track has not been my best friend over the years, and that's often been my own doing," he added. "I'm a very different driver today to what I was a couple of years ago, and I feel more complete, more confident I know exactly what I need to do. "I was nervous before the race, as you'd expect, but I didn't feel any additional nerves or any additional pressure. It just felt like another race, and I knew I had a chance to win, and I felt comfortable with that." Russell still does not have a contract with Mercedes beyond the end of this season but both he and team principal Toto Wolff said in Singapore that it was just a matter of negotiating the finer details. "There's a driver and a team, they're clear they want to continue with each other," Wolff told Reuters. "But sometimes it's important to carve out detail that maybe hasn't been talked about in a previous contract, that is important for their joint objectives." Russell remains fourth in the drivers' standings after Sunday's win but if Mercedes can give him a car that can compete with the frontrunners more frequently, the Englishman is confident he can deliver. "I've said it for a while, I feel ready to fight for a championship," he said. "I feel ready to take it to my next step." (Reporting by Nick Mulvenney, editing by Toby Davis)

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