George Russell has only finished on the podium twice in 2023 (Photo: Getty)

George Russell says he ‘was coughing four times a lap’ as he battled illness to finish on the podium at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Pole-sitter Max Verstappen cruised to victory in the Formula One season finale on Sunday to claim a record-extending 19th win of 2023.

Though he and Red Bull had wrapped up the championships long ago, there was much to race for further down the grid, with just four points separating Mercedes and Ferrari in the battle for second before lights out.

And though Charles Leclerc managed to cross the line in second, third for Russell and ninth for Sir Lewis Hamilton was enough for the Silver Arrows to pip their rivals to the runners-up spot, with the other Ferrari of Carlos Sainz finishing 15th.

It’s been a poor season for Russell, with this only his second podium of the year after Spain, but the 26-year-old was just relieved to get across the finish line at Yas Marina having suffered with illness all weekend.

‘I was probably coughing four times a lap, so it was pretty miserable out there which probably didn’t help things,’ the British driver said post-race.

‘But a massive relief to have brought the car home P3. It means a huge amount.

Russell has finished P8 in the standings (Photo: Getty)

‘There are so many people back at the factory, Brackley, Brixworth, who have worked so hard to achieve this. It has been a really challenging season. I have let the side down a couple of times this year so pleased to bring it across the line.

‘It was tight with Checo [Sergio Perez] at the end and I thought Charles was going to back me up, but respect to him for keeping it clean. Woah, I can chill out now!

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‘I came out of the pits on the second set of hards, managing a bit, and Checo came from nowhere. I don’t know that happened, there, they had great pace, it was really tense at the end.

‘The tyres were dropping off but really pleased to have secured P2 for the team. I’m sure the team will have a few drinks tonight.’

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Max Verstappen won the F1 season finale in Abu Dhabi.