George Russell admits that teammate Kimi Antonelli is now in control of the championship.

Somewhat surprisingly, as tensions are rising elsewhere, there were no radio hysterics from Russell when Mercedes made the game-changing decision to pit his teammate under the VSC, while leaving the Briton on 26-lap old rubber.

Perhaps Russell thought he could still win. However, as Antonelli set about closing the 8s gap, and his engineer Marcus Dudley warned him that the Italian would be with him "by the end", subsequently adding that his tyres were damaged, the Briton continued.

As Antonelli loomed ever larger in Russell's mirrors, Dudley's call to "bring it home" was all you needed to know, and sure enough shortly after the Briton yielded position to the young Italian.

Russell has a certain reputation as the head-boy who ensures everyone obeys the rules, ever willing to report an offence, genuine or perceived.

And yet, as Antonelli's title lead extended to 66 points, the Briton was magnanimous.

Speaking post-race, while not giving up on his own title hopes, Russell admitted that his teammate has a clear advantage.

"It is definitely Kimi who is in control of it," he said of the championship, "and he is deserving to be in control.

"I am not even thinking about a fight or a comeback," he added.

"It is going to be exceptionally challenging to overcome that gap," he admitted. "I am sort of accepting that is what it is, and I am going to try and enjoy it from here on in and win as many races as possible."

Asked about that vital call under the VSC, he said: "The VSC came out at that perfect point for the drivers behind to pull the trigger and take the pit stop.

"I didn't consider pitting," he added. "I actually thought the guys behind me were going to stay out.

"I am sure the team were quite nervous on the pit-wall watching our battle and they were probably happy to send us out on different strategies. I was on the hard tyre and Kimi was on the medium, so if one of us was going to pit, it was going to be Kimi and that is why I was a little bit annoyed with the timing of the VSC because it would have been tough for those guys on the mediums to have competed with anyone on the hards, but it takes nothing away from Kimi's drive."

Asked about the booing on the podium, Russell said: "Obviously when you are racing in somebody else's home country that is to be expected. I smiled it off."

While Antonelli took a grid penalty in Italy following an engine change, in the coming races Russell is also set to take on a fresh power unit.

There is also talk of an ADUO upgrade which would see all Mercedes-powered drivers face a penalty.

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