The upgraded W14 proved effective in the warmer race temperatures as Russell climbed from 12th on the grid to third place to complete a double podium behind team-mate Lewis Hamilton.
Rain, which had hit the track during Saturday practice, had threatened to disrupt the event but never materialised. However, Russell did briefly ask his race engineer Marcus Dudley at half-distance if any other driver had reported rain when he spotted drops on his helmet visor.
But it transpired that this was nothing more than his own sweat, with Russell having not properly tucked his hair inside his balaclava. So, when he was braking, the beads were flicking forwards under the forces.
He explained the confusion, saying: “I had my hair dangling down in the first stint - I think I didn’t quite get it in my balaclava. That was annoying because it was in my peripheral vision.
“Then, as I was sweating, because it wasn't in my balaclava, it was dripping down onto my face. And then when I was braking, it was coming onto my visor.
“So, with the grey clouds, and then the spots of water on the visor, I thought it was rain.
“That was a bit of a bit of an embarrassing one.”
Source: Autosport