Featured Image Credit: Clive Mason / Staff via Getty
Topics: Formula 1, George Russell, Mercedes, Motorsport
James Taylor
Topics: Formula 1, George Russell, Mercedes, Motorsport
A practice session at the Singapore Grand Prix was red-flagged after George Russell sent a 'weird' message over team radio.
Formula 1 has returned this weekend, with drivers battling it out at the Yas Marina Street Circuit. With just seven races left of the campaign, the pressure is mounting in what is shaping up to be the closest Drivers' Championship fight in years.
Oscar Piastri currently leads the way, holding a 25-point advantage over his McLaren teammate Lando Norris. But four-time world champion Max Verstappen has cut the gap, and he arrives in Singapore full of confidence having won the previous two races.
For other teams, there is still plenty at stake. Places in both the Drivers' and Constructors' Championship are hugely important as teams plan their line-ups for next season.
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One man that endured a frustrating afternoon was Mercedes driver Russell, whose mistake forced second practice to be halted.
He made an uncharacteristic mistake at turn 16, going in too fast and locking up, causing his car to carry on straight into the barriers. He lost his front wing but managed to limp his car into the pits.
But the damage was enough to rule him out for the remainder of the session. Over team radio, he was asked if he was alright, to which he replied: "That was weird."
It was certainly a blow for the Englishman, who spoke to Sky Sports about the crash. He said: "A bit of a weird one to be honest. I'm not too sure what happened.
"I braked a bit earlier, went in a bit slower, but lost the rear. Thankfully I went in front-end on and didn't do too much damage but it was game over.
"A bit annoying, sorry to the team for that, but better it happened today than tomorrow."
Russell will be thankful that he managed to get a proper run in free practice one.
Although he only managed the 11th quickest time, his lap was set on medium tyres, while the majority of his rivals ran the quicker soft compound tyres.
"FP1 was challenging but in those early laps I had a much better feel and the pace seemed much better," Russell added.
"Not been our best Friday by a long way but the Singapore track is always evolving and there's rain in the air, so I'm not too concerned."
Last year at the Singapore GP, he qualified fourth and finished in the same position on race day
With a 47-point advantage over Charles Leclerc in the Drivers' Standings, Russell is still firmly in control of fourth position in the world championship.