George Russell questions Mercedes strategy after losing out on Barcelona GP win

The Mercedes driver lost out to Lewis Hamilton in a race dominated by strategy. Russell led for the majority of the race on a two-stop strategy, with Hamilton on an alternate three-stop strategy. Hamilton would have had to pass Russell towards the end of the race, if it were not for a VSC, which allowed him to pit and come out back ahead of his former teammate.

Russell struggled from the second stint of the race, and was passed by Kimi Antonelli in the closing laps, before the Italian pulled off with a mechanical failure, allowing the Brit to close the gap to 50 points at the top of the standings.

Speaking to Sky F1 after the race, Russell questioned why Mercedes brought him in for his first pit stop, just moments after Hamilton pitted for his first of three stops. Russell said from that point it made the two stop strategy a "challenge".

Antonelli's retirement meant Russell avoided losing more ground in the championship race, though Hamilton on current form looks like he could take the fight to the Mercedes pair. After the race, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff acknowledged the threat of Hamilton, insisting 'if he smells blood he goes'.