Russell appeared like benefitting from a gradual cease for Alpine’s Esteban Ocon and a late name to intermediates for Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz to climb to 3rd as rain hit the principality within the ultimate third of the race.
However after his pitstop for intermediates on lap 55, Russell appeared to get distracted by a yellow flag for a lapped Lance Stroll and joined the Aston Martin driver up the Mirabeau escape street.
That not solely dropped Russell behind Ocon and team-mate Lewis Hamilton, however as he re-joined the racing line he was hit by Purple Bull’s Sergio Perez, which price the Briton a five-second penalty for an unsafe rejoin.
“I am actually kicking myself as a result of P3 was virtually assured,” Russell mentioned when requested by Motorsport.com about his race.
“There was a yellow flag, I backed off and as quickly as I touched the brakes I locked up and adopted Stroll up the escape street.
“That is in all probability a lesson that truly if you’re not on it and you are not centered, you make these mistake.
“In all probability, if there wasn’t a yellow flag there, I’d have simply been focusing extra. I would not have gone off and value the workforce a cushty P3.”
After his conflict with Perez, Russell reported unusual behaviour on the rear of his Mercedes W14.
However as soon as the automobile settled down and any harm appeared minimal, he instructed to the workforce to let him previous Hamilton and defend his buffer to Leclerc, understanding his five-second penalty can be added after the end.
George Russell, Mercedes F1 W14
Photograph by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Photos
“I undoubtedly broken the automobile a bit. I wasn’t positive I used to be going to have the ability to proceed however it sort of sorted itself out because the laps progress.
“I believe the toes received bent on the rear finish. I felt actually uncomfortable within the automobile, however we have been the quickest on observe throughout that interval. So, I do not actually know what was happening.
“I used to be being held up by Ocon and Lewis, and Charles was closing me down. I used to be undoubtedly not going to danger something on Lewis in circumstances like this. However with that five-second penalty it may have been an excellent buffer if Charles had caught it up.”
However with Leclerc not gaining any floor, Russell adopted Hamilton residence in fifth, a protected 10 seconds away from the Ferrari driver.
“It was not wanted in the long run, and I mentioned to the workforce, no obligation and no strain from my aspect after which as quickly as I knew we have been protected to Charles, I simply introduced it residence,” he added.
“However yeah, it is a bitterly disappointing if you do all the things proper for 98% of it, however that one tiny mistake prices all the things.”
