Russell fumes as Mercedes forced to retire car after starting British GP on pole | F1 | Sport

George Russell was compelled to retire from the F1 British Grand Prix on account of a water system fault. The Mercedes ace’s race got here to a merciless finish after ranging from pole place and on the entrance row alongside his Silver Arrows teammate Lewis Hamilton.

The 26-year-old discovered himself outdoors the highest three earlier than his retirement in Lap 34, and he let his frustrations be identified, repeatedly swearing. “In all probability about 10 laps earlier than I needed to retire I noticed temperature alarms approaching my steering wheel and sure some type of water cooling failure, so yeah, I actually do not know what to say,” Russell mentioned on his DNF. “I imply the automotive was feeling so good I knew it was gonna be a protracted race, struggled a bit across the damp patches. Lewis doing an incredible job at that second so fingers crossed he can he can deliver it dwelling for us as a staff. It has been a tremendous weekend no matter what occurs right here on in, very troublesome on the market with the rain coming and going however such a rollercoaster week.”

Russell hopped out of his Mercedes automotive and headed by way of the storage and out the again for a timeout as all staff duty was shifted onto the shoulders of his teammate Hamilton. The seven-time F1 world champion capitalised on a McLaren pit cease situation with Norris, who regarded sure to clinch a second-ever Grand Prix victory. Hamilton took the lead of the British GP and held his nerve to win a record-setting ninth F1 victory on the observe and the Silver Arrows’ second on the bounce, following on from Russell’s win in Austria.

Hamilton was in tears as he delivered an emotional message on the staff radio. The 39-year-old thanked the Silver Arrows staff, who he’ll go away on the finish of 2024 for Ferrari, in addition to the house crowd, who cheered him on as three-time world champion Max Verstappen closed in.

“I like you, Bono,” he mentioned. It was Hamilton’s first F1 victory since Saudi Arabia in 2021 and he was greeted upon arrival again within the pitlane by his teammate, earlier than flying the British flag above his head, whereas standing on high of his Mercedes. His dad, Anthony, additionally lended a shoulder to cry on.

“Yeah, I can not cease crying,” Hamilton mentioned. “I believe, you already know, it has been since 2021. I simply, each day getting up, attempting to struggle, to coach, to place my thoughts to the duty, and work as arduous as I can with this superb staff.

“And that is my final race right here, the British Grand Prix, with this staff, so I needed to win this a lot for them, as a result of I like them, I admire them a lot, all of the arduous work they have been placing in all of those years. I am without end grateful to everybody on this staff, everybody at Mercedes, and all of our companions, after which in any other case to all our unimaginable followers. I may see you lap by lap as I used to be coming round, and there is simply no better feeling as to complete on the entrance right here.”

Hamilton continued: “It is so powerful, I believe, for anybody. However I believe the essential factor is simply the way you proceed to stand up, and you have to proceed to dig deep, even once you really feel such as you’re on the backside of the barrel.

“I imply, there’s undoubtedly been days between 2021 and right here the place I did not really feel like I used to be ok, or whether or not I used to be going to get again to the place I’m at the moment. However the essential factor is I had nice folks round me, persevering with to help me and my staff each time I tone up, and see them placing within the effort, that actually inspired me to do the identical factor.

“And in any other case, my followers, after I see them all over the world, they’ve been so supportive. So a giant, massive thanks to all people again on the manufacturing facility, everybody right here, love you guys, and God bless you.”