Russell followed Leclerc closely for the first 18 laps of the race but could not get by until the latter made an early first stop.
Later Russell emerged from his own slow mid-race pitstop behind Leclerc having run an unusually long first stint on the soft tyres.
The pair then enjoyed a brief but spectacular tussle before Russell went past on his way to an eventual fifth place.
"I felt good on those tyres,” said Russell of his opening stint. “And that was 28 laps within one second of a car ahead.
"I think I could have extended even further had it been clear air. I felt really good on that tyre, it felt really good on our car.
“I did my best to overtake Charles, some questionable defending at points. But it wouldn't have changed my race. Had I got past him, it probably would have meant I would have boxed even earlier.
“Probably both the McLarens would have pitted to cover me. So I still probably would have finished fifth."
Source: Autosport