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FILE PHOTO - British Formula One driver George Russell from the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team walks through the paddock. Philipp von Ditfurth/dpa
An emotional George Russell said he has grown “numb to disappointment” after he crashed out of the opening lap of a Belgian Grand Prix won by championship rival Kimi Antonelli.
Antonelli cleared Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc with 10 laps remaining at Spa-Francorchamps on Sunday to take his sixth win of the season, and double his title advantage over Mercedes team mate Russell from 25 points to 50.
Russell qualified third and started well before another mechanical glitch in his Mercedes saw him gobbled up by Max Verstappen, Oscar Piastri and Lewis Hamilton on the opening stampede to Les Combes.
Russell drew back alongside Hamilton under braking for the right-left combination, and then briefly ahead, but he was not afforded enough room by his former Mercedes team-mate.
The left-front tyre of Hamilton’s Ferrari made contact with the rear-right of Russell’s Mercedes and the latter was sent out of control and into the gravel trap. Russell’s race was instantly over.
“The incident with Lewis was a racing incident,” said a downcast Russell. “He didn’t do it on purpose. He was more to blame than I. But he didn’t do anything reckless.
“I was just angry I was in that position in the first place. I got a great start and I was ready to fight the two guys ahead of me up to turn five and instead I get swamped by three drivers because of another problem.
“I am numb to the disappointment. When it happens so often you just get used to it.”
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