Mercedes drivers under investigation: 'We jumped the gun'

Russell managed to finish in second place in qualifying at the Bahrain International Circuit, while his Italian teammate set the fourth fastest time.

However, both drivers are investigated for not following the race director's instructions. In Q2 after the red flag caused by Esteban Ocon, both Mercedes cars drove out too early, and entered the fast lane before the restart time was confirmed.

After the session, Toto Wolff also reacted to the incident to Sky Sports. "There's no precedent. It's a new rule in that sense, and we're going to see what the stewards say. I would hope that it's not the drivers who are penalised for it. It was a team mistake. We jumped the gun here," the Austrian team principal said.

Both drivers will have to be present at the stewards at 21:20 local time (19:20 GMT).