George Russell claims that he is "beyond disappointment" following today's DNF at Sepang.

The Briton was heading for an almost certain podium finish, when, six laps from the chequered flag, he was forced to pull to the side of the track with a power unit issue.

With his teammate finishing second, what was a 66-point difference in the championship battle following last weekend's win in Azerbaijan, was back up to 84 again.

"You've almost got to laugh," the Baku winner told Sky Sports. "It's, you know, beyond disappointment," he added. "It's just so many times this season it's happened.

"It's a real shame," he sighed. "Of course it's a real shame, but just keep on fighting, you know, just keep on trying to go.

"The podium, of course, looked certain," he continued. "Solid, not amazing, race, but solid race. Yeah... not the first time, so I'm pretty used to this feeling and these questions, let's say."

Today's shock retirement echoed a similar situation in Montreal when he suffered a power unit issue whilst battling his teammate for victory.

Asked if this latest blow effectively ends his championship hopes, he said: "I don't need to say I think it's gone or whatever, but of course it's exceptionally unlikely, and that's just the reality.

"I knew if I wanted to come back, I needed luck on my side," he continued. "Unfortunately, I had luck not on my side.

"So, you know, a three-point loss today turned into an 18-point loss. And of course, if he was on the other side, it would have been an 18-point gain."

Check out our Sunday gallery from Sepang here.