George Russell: ‘In those moments you just want to curl up in a ball’

George Russell said he felt like he wanted to “curl up in a ball” after a mistake in the final lap cost him a Singapore podium.

Russell clipped the wall late on causing him to crash into the barrier and out of the race at a time when he was on for a podium, and still fighting for race victory.

Afterwards, Russell was visibly distraught as he spoke with the media and went on to remark that he felt like he wanted to “curl up in a ball.”

George Russell reveals “heartbreaking” pain felt after Singapore crash

Having come so close to his first podium since the Spanish Grand Prix, Russell could barely contain his emotions after the race, describing it as the “most horrendous feeling in the world.”

“In those moments you just want to curl up in a ball and be with nobody,” Russell said.

“It’s the most horrendous feeling in the world, when you’re so physically drained, mentally drained, missed out on an opportunity of victory, and then to make such a mistake.

“It is truly heartbreaking.”

Despite the error, Russell has been backed to bounce back by both his boss Toto Wolff and team-mate Lewis Hamilton. Asked whether he would opt for criticism or comfort, Wolff said he would go for the latter.

“是的,绝对. As the driver you’re devastated in such a moment, and that’s exactly what I’m going to do,” said Wolff to the suggestion of comforting his driver.

“It’s super that Lewis is on the podium and he had a brilliant race, also at the end he had pace.

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“It’s just a shame for George because he worked hard for that. It could have been a good third and fourth, lots of points, but now we lost 22 against Ferrari.

“The things he said on the radio, you can’t say that on telly.

“It was just an unfortunate moment, he clipped the wall and that’s a split-second mistake and it ends a great race, it’s a shame because he would have deserved it.”

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