"I'm numb to the disappointment," admits George Russell as teammate Kimi Antonelli extends championship lead.

Starting from third on the grid, the Mercedes driver maintained the position as the field rounded La Source and headed down to Eau Rouge.

Like Max Verstappen up ahead, the Briton lost a number of places as the field headed up the Kemmel Straight. However, whereas the Dutchman had depleted his energy pack at the start in overhauling the pole-sitter, Russell's battery had failed to charge under braking for the opening corner.

Seeking to regain the lost positions, as he entered Les Combes, and attempted to reclaim the position Lewis Hamilton had taken moments earlier, the pair clashed, spinning the Mercedes driver off into the gravel and out of the race.

"I made a good start, I made a great first corner and I was tucked up right behind Verstappen," he subsequently told reporters. "But for whatever reason the battery decided not to recharge at Turn 1, so I went around the first corner, the battery didn't charge and I exited the first corner 35% down.

"Because of that, because it didn't charge and I also had a boost problem, the turbo didn't sort itself out, so I had no power," he explained. "I got to the top of Eau Rouge with 0% on the battery, quite frankly it was dangerous, and I got swamped by three cars.

"I shouldn't have been in that position in the first place, that's why I'm most angry," he added. "With Lewis, honestly, I think was a racing incident."

In all honesty, Russell has struggled all weekend, mysteriously unable to match his teammate's speed on the straights.

Mercedes, like Russell, is baffled by the difference between the pair's speed, and isn't sure whether it is down to the Briton's driving style or an issue with how the electric power is deployed over the course of a lap.

"I appreciate everyone's working hard to solve the problem," said a clearly emotional Russell, "but, you know, I'm stood here on lap 5 of the race.

"I felt like I was in a good position to fight for the lead up to Turn 1, and then suddenly no power, it's all gone," he sighed.

While Antonelli's victory means Russell is once again 50 points behind his teammate, Hamilton's fourth-place finish sees the Ferrari driver promoted to second in the standings.

It's another bitter blow for the Briton, who, when asked how he is coping, admitted: "I'm numb to the disappointment now. When it happens so often, you just get used to it."

Check out our Sunday gallery from Spa here.

LATEST NEWS

more news >

LATEST IMAGES

galleries >

Click to go to the main galleries section

READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by Dirt, 5 hours ago

"@Spindoctor: In watching the replay it looked to me like Russell braked way later than Hamilton et. al. I assumed everyone but Russell was being cautious for L1, while Russell had a bit of PU induced red mist."

Rating: Neutral (0) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

2. Posted by Spindoctor, 9 hours ago

"I find this a bit confusing. If Russell's PU was faulty & he lost power, how come he had enough juice to sail halfway past Hamilton & have a crash a few seconds later? I also felt he turned in rather aggressively, but what do I know?

I do appreciate it that he uncharacteristically didn't blame the other driver, though Mercedes must be smarting...."

Rating: Neutral (0) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

"You just get used to it," says Russell

LATEST NEWS

RELATED ARTICLES

LATEST IMAGES

POST A COMMENT

Post your comment

READERS COMMENTS

Share this page