Russell rues mistakes but Mercedes upgrades 'paying dividends'

George Russell has stated the updates introduced by Mercedes in recent rounds are already "paying dividends" after the team had its best weekend of the season in Montreal.

The British driver secured pole position for the Canadian Grand Prix, setting an identical lap time to eventual race winner Max Verstappen, who lined up in second.

Despite the strong start to the weekend, Russell had a somewhat messy race. Having made a couple of mistakes which hampered his progress, the one-time grand prix winner was quick to apologise to his team and highlight what he felt was a "missed opportunity" at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.

One decision he believe was incorrect, was the call to pit during the final safety car period. In doing so, the 26-year-old gave up track position to the McLaren of Oscar Piastri, who he subsequently had to muscle his way back past - almost damaging his W15 in the process.

There's a lot of changes you [would] have made if you know how things plan out retrospectively," Russell told media including RacingNews365 when asked about the choice to pit for medium tyres towards the end of the race.

"But I'm happy with the progress we've made. Really proud of the team because we've been pushing these upgrades through and it's really paying dividends."

Russell feels mistakes prevented being able to fight for the win

Despite a Sunday he felt could have gone better, the Canadian Grand Prix weekend was undoubtedly a step forward for the team. 

Having passed Lewis Hamilton in the closing stages, Russell took his - and the team's - first grand prix podium finish of the season, with his team-mate just behind in fourth - something he agreed was a one of the positives he could take away from the weekend.

He was, however, still critical of his performance, which he believed prevented him from fighting Lando Norris and Verstappen ahead in final laps.

"Yeah, absolutely, 100%," he replied when asked about those positive steps. "I think if you told us ahead of this weekend, pole position and P3, we may not have believed you, to be honest.

"But as Max [Verstappen] said, it was such a tricky race out there for everybody. You put a millimetre wide and you're off. 

"I think for me, it was just one too many mistakes at key moments that cost us a shot of fighting with these two towards the end of the race.