'Complete disaster!' – George Russell fumes after Lewis Hamilton clash

George Russell says 2023 has been a ‘complete disaster of a season’ for him after enduring a frustrating Japanese Grand Prix.

The Mercedes Formula One star finished seventh in Suzuka, crossing the finish line just under a minute behind race winner Max Verstappen as he secured the constructors’ title for Red Bull.

The Brit was involved in some close duels with teammate Sir Lewis Hamilton, and on multiple occasions expressed his discontent on the team radio, saying they should be working together to beat the McLarens and Ferraris.

‘Who do we want to fight here? Each other or the others?’ he said.

Toward the end of the race, he begged his team to keep Hamilton, who was on fresher tyres, behind him until the very last lap to ensure that Carlos Sainz didn’t get past either.

Mercedes opted not to do this, telling Russell to get out of the way, before he was subsequently passed by the Ferrari driver.

‘If you want to play the team game… he [Hamilton] pushed me off the track earlier,’ Russell fumed over the radio.

George Russell and Lewis Hamilton racing away in Suzuka! 🆚 pic.twitter.com/GBXyUjZlqy

Asked about his comments after the race, the 25-year-old told Sky Sports: ‘When you’re in the car and 48 laps in, you’re giving it everything and you’re making a sub-optimal strategy to try and work.

‘That radio is a vent to release some frustration.

‘For me the goal is to secure P2 in the constructors’. On my personal side, the drivers’ championship is totally out of the window. It’s been a complete disaster of a season, so many missed chances.

‘Lewis is in a really good position for P3. Standing here now, it’s all good.’

The result has dropped Russell to eighth in the standings after 16 races, with Lando Norris now level on points with his fellow Brit but ahead on countback.

Russell has finished on the podium just once this season – in Spain – and has made a few notable mistakes throughout the year, most recently in the last race in Singapore where he crashed on the last lap while fighting for the win.

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

Follow Metro Sport for the latest news onFacebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Source: Read Full Article