One thing after the other – frustrations build for George Russell in Japan

George Russell believes everything is going against him aft Kimi Antonelli moved into nan lead of nan world title pursuing his triumph astatine Sunday’s Japanese Grand Prix.

Italian teen Antonelli claimed a 2nd triumph successful arsenic galore races aft he was afforded a free pit extremity successful Suzuka erstwhile Ollie Bearman collapsed retired of nan title astatine 191mph.

The timing of nan consequent information car derailed Russell’s hopes arsenic he slipped from 2nd to 3rd earlier a artillery problem past allowed some Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc ahead.

Russell cleared Hamilton to decorativeness 4th but he now trails Mercedes team-mate Antonelli by 9 points.

His troubles arrived a fortnight aft he collapsed down successful qualifying successful China to let Antonelli a free tally astatine pole, which he duly converted into his maiden win.

And Russell, nan pre-season title favourite, said: “At nan moment, it is conscionable 1 point aft nan other.

“Racing tin spell for you, but it tin besides spell against you too, and astatine nan moment, each rumor we are having is connected my broadside of nan car shed and I americium nan 1 going done that pain.

“Sometimes group person problems successful practice. We person not had a azygous rumor successful practice, but I person had problems successful qualifying instead. It is nan luck of nan tie pinch these caller cars.

“But it is title 3 of 22, and I americium not concerned astatine all. It is simply a agelong year, and I cognize I person sewage what it takes to bounce back. I won’t dwell connected it.”

Mercedes are looking progressively apt to present this year’s world champion having won each 3 races truthful far.

Russell started nan play connected nan beforehand ft pinch triumph successful Melbourne but Antonelli, successful conscionable his 2nd play connected nan grid, has struck backmost pinch 2 triumphs.

Asked if he was worried nan momentum is starting to displacement towards nan Italian, Russell replied: “No, not astatine all. If nan information car came retired 1 thigh earlier today, nan triumph would person been connected my side, and I americium assured successful that.

“In China without nan qualifying issue, I was 3 tenths up successful sprint qualifying truthful possibly I could person been connected rod location and won. It is conscionable really it turns out.

“We person sewage a four-week break truthful location is nary momentum to beryllium carried over. We will reset and spell again for nan adjacent race.”

Russell had Antonelli successful his pouch successful their first play together astatine nan Silver Arrows. However, nan 19-year-old has emerged arsenic a superior title contender.

On Sunday, he became nan first Italian driver since nan awesome Alberto Ascari successful 1953 to triumph consecutive races, and nan first teen ever to lead nan title race.

“I’m not reasoning excessively overmuch astir nan championship,” said Antonelli. “Of people it’s great, but there’s still a agelong measurement to go.

“We request to support raising nan barroom because George is very quick, and for judge he’s going to beryllium backmost astatine his accustomed level.”