George’s Melbourne misery! Mercedes star Russell is forced out of the Australian Grand Prix with his car ablaze after he had briefly led the race after the first corner before being dropped down to seventh with an ill-timed pit stop
George Russell suffered a nightmare exit at the Melbourne Grand Prix on Sunday afternoon – after leading the race.
Russell and Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton started second and third on the grid respectively, behind pole-sitter Max Verstappen.
Both British drivers passed the Red Bull star in the first two corners in a shock opening to the race in Australia.
But Russell’s lead was short-lived, with a safety car coming out after Charles Leclerc ran into the gravel on the first corner, and then again when Alex Albon was forced to end the race on lap six.
The 25-year-old went into the pitstops early but a red flag relegated him down to seventh – before his woes continued Down Under.
George Russell (right) had a disastrous day at the Melbourne Grand Prix on Sunday afternoon
The Mercedes driver had briefly led the race after overtaking pole-sitter Max Verstappen
He fell to seventh after a red flag following an early pit stop, before his car caught on fire
The Brit looked gutted as he walked away from his car, with smoke billowing from the W12
The red flag effectively meant any driver who wanted could get a ‘free’ pit stop, losing less time than they would without the red flag.
Mercedes’ strategic decision looked quite smart, but the stoppage after gravel on the track changed the situation dramatically.
Russell then became the third car of the race forced to retire. In what appeared to be a power unit issue, his car just suddenly slowed up, with flames licking at the back of the car.
Russell then climbed out of the car as smoke billowed into the sky, and called over race mechanics.
He looked gutted as he walked away after a disastrous end to his race – none of which his fault.
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