George Russell 'lost his head' after Kimi Antonelli frustrations

Former F1 driver Martin Brundle believes George Russell “lost his head” at the Japanese Grand Prix after becoming frustrated midway through the race.

Russell pitted from second place just moments before a safety car was deployed following a high-speed crash for Oliver Bearman.

It allowed Kimi Antonelli, who was yet to make a stop, to recycle himself back into the lead of the grand prix.

Russell was heard over team radio asking if Antonelli would resume the race at a previously agreed spot in order to benefit both cars.

However, Russell slipped back in the order as Lewis Hamilton made the stronger restart behind him.

“On that restart, George got mugged, like he did in China,” Brundle assessed, speaking to Sky F1.

“'If there's an agreement, we will do this on a restart' - that's what he was saying. 'Are we going to do that?' 

“He didn't get the answer he wanted, and he ended up, on the restart, clearly without his battery where it needed to be because the Ferraris were all over him once again. 

“George was frustrated and lost his head a little bit. He had that race under control, he probably would have got past Piastri later on.”

Russell ended the race in fourth place, marking the first time this year that he failed to reach the podium.

Having now slipped to second in the drivers' standings, Brundle has urged Russell to use the April break to reset.

“All in all, he needs a reset on that. But he goes to Miami a number of points behind his team-mates,” he said.

“It's difficult times for George.

“He's got to treat Kimi Antonelli, just as if he's Lewis Hamilton in his peak and a threat for the championship.”