Mercedes' latest George Russell post hours after Brazil GP qualifying has got F1 fans talking

George Russell blamed his missed opportunity to put his Mercedes on pole position at the Brazil Grand Prix as a 'collective' error - and it's got fans saying the same thing.

Russell was in second place during Q3, which was being ran under changeable conditions, when he was told to back off mid-lap by his race engineer Marcus Dudley. The Brit was furious over team radio, claiming that his flying lap could have been good enough for pole had he not backed off, with the worsening rain meaning no other driver would have beaten it.

Russell is taking a five-place grid penalty for the race, though the error was still the difference between qualifying sixth and seventh - something which could still be crucial in a race which is also expected to be wet. He told Sky Sports that the moment 'sums up everything this season' - though did take a slightly more diplomatic tone in a social media video posted by Mercedes.

'I was very upset and frustrated...' - Russell on missed Brazil GP pole

In a 40-second video posted to Mercedes' social media accounts, Russell reacted to his Brazil Grand Prix qualifying, and described the decision for him to back off as a 'collective' one.

"It was definitely in the fight for pole with Lando," he said. "But collectively we made the wrong call to back off on that second lap. We thought the rain would be around 60 seconds away. It wasn't - it was right there. I was obviously very upset and frustrated in that moment.

"It kind of sums up the season. But I'm at least pleased that every lap we were doing, we were in the mix. And I can at least sleep easier tonight knowing I've not forgotten how to drive, so that's something."

Mercedes captioned the post by writing: "A frustrating end to Quali for George. He will start P7 and it's still all to play for tomorrow with his pace so far this weekend."

Responding to Mercedes' post, one fan wrote: "'Collectively' and he knew damn well it was the wrong call."

"He clearly didn't want to make this video, poor George," a second said.

"George trying to convince himself and the others he is not angry anymore, while you can figuratively see clouds of smoke coming out of his ears," a third stated.

"The way he pauses between words to regroup his thoughts and speak in a calm and collected way shows how he's actually still p----- but trying not to show it," a fourth wrote.

While a fifth couldn't believe his last comment: "I'VE NOT FORGOTTEN HOW TO DRIVE."

Toto Wolff on George Russell incident in Brazil GP qualifying

Speaking to reporters after the qualifying session, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff said that, at the time of Russell backing off, he was 18 milliseconds up on pole-sitter Lando Norris, with the third sector - including the notoriously tricky, in wet conditions, Juncao corner - still to get through.

"It was a difficult one. A 50-50 call," he said. "He was running into [Alex] Albon.

"I don't think it would have been enough for pole, but he drove perfectly all session and merited to be on pole. He deserved it but you can't make that call. It's 50 per cent right or wrong. George was in a league of his own today."