British Formula One driver George Russell finished fourth and picked up 12 points in the Spanish Grand Prix, where he'd previously placed third in 2023.

Strong start under Spanish sunshine

George and Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One™ Team had a positive start to the weekend. Free Practice was an opportunity for the team to test different tyre types in warmer conditions and experiment with adjusting the car to maximise potential.

Finishing fourth in Free Practice One, George was able to complete 31 laps and collect lots of data across Medium and Hard tyres.

In FP2, George finished eighth after focusing on longer runs as well as stints on the Soft tyre.

The following day, the warmer track temperatures allowed George and the team to test Soft tyres in warmer conditions. He classified P5 in FP3, only 0.151 seconds off P1.

WATCH: 2024 SPANISH GRAND PRIX FP3 HIGHLIGHTS

George qualifies second row of the grid

After his first run in Q1, George was fifth, only two tenths off P1. On used Softs, George went out again and classified P6, safely through to Q2.

The track temperatures continued to drop as Qualifying went on. Starting Q2 on a new set of Softs, George went P6 on his first run. He then completed a second run with new Softs, going fastest overall in the first sector. Improving on his time, George went through to Q3 in P3.

For his first run of Q3, George finished fourth. He then went out again on a set of new Soft tyres and maintained his fourth position, three tenths off pole.

WATCH: 2024 SPANISH GRAND PRIX QUALIFYING HIGHLIGHTS

Fourth in Barcelona

George began the Spanish Grand Prix from P4 on the Soft compound tyre. He had an excellent launch and shot around the outside to take the lead of the Grand Prix from the first corner.

On Lap 3, Max Verstappen used DRS to overtake George.

At the end of Lap 15, George pitted for a set of Mediums. An unfortunate slow stop after an issue with the right rear meant he came back out in P8.

On Lap 35, George was P2 with Lando closing the gap behind him. The two had an exciting duel throughout the lap, but it was Lando who, on fresher tyres, came out on top. George moved back to P3.

Pitting from P3 at the end of Lap 36, George switched to Hards and came out P7. However, he reported issues with the tyre compound.

On Lap 52, George was overtaken by team-mate Lewis Hamilton who had fresher Softs, resulting in George moving into P4.

With 10 laps to go, Charles Leclerc was closing in on George. He continued to make up time and finally got DRS on George heading onto the final lap. However, he was unable to pass George.

Securing P4, George claimed 12 points for the team.

The 2024 F1 season will resume on 28-30 June for the Austrian Grand Prix.

WATCH: 2024 SPANISH GRAND PRIX HIGHLIGHTS

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George Russell, Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One™ Team driver:

“There were a few things that went against us today, unfortunately. We had a slow first pit stop, and then the Hard tyre didn’t feel great in the final stint. Nevertheless, as a team our aim was to maximise what we could achieve today, and we did that with P3 and P4. Lewis drove a great race today and we take away the huge positives from what have been a very promising last couple of races.

“I was dreaming of making a move like I did into turn one last night. I didn’t think it would quite come to fruition in the way that it did! I remember Fernando (Alonso) making a similar start in 2013. We had a headwind so I knew I could brake quite late. It was a very satisfying move and felt good to lead a race again. Unfortunately, Max (Verstappen) was too fast for us today, as was Lando. But two podiums in two races is very encouraging as we head to Austria.”

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