A pitstop for medium Pirellis gave Russell and team-mate Lewis Hamilton the tyre benefit within the closing phases at Marina Bay as they piled the strain on chief Carlos Sainz and Lando Norris for victory.
Whereas it grew to become more and more clear that Ferrari driver Sainz would seal his second F1 win, Russell continued after the McLaren earlier than Norris clipped the outside wall on approach to Turn 10 on the final lap.
Though Norris got here away unscathed, Russell was drawn in and made heavier contact to break the front-right nook of his W14 and ship him careering into the barrier to categorise down in sixteenth.
Mercedes motorsport boss Wolff reckoned that his driver, who certified second, had in any other case delivered a nigh-on good weekend.
The Austrian mentioned: “I am unhappy for George as a result of he delivered a 99.9% incredible weekend and a split-second lack of focus, clipped the wall and it occurred.”
However Wolff reckoned the shunt would repay in the long term, with the error “engraved” in Russell so he wouldn’t repeat it when Mercedes recovers to battle for wins and championships.
“What I mentioned to him is I would relatively have this occurring now, and the training is there, than after we race for a victory or for a championship,” mentioned Wolff.
“That is going to be engraved in him, this error.”
George Russell, Mercedes F1 W14, leads Lando Norris, McLaren MCL60, and Sir Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes F1 W14
Picture by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
Russell – who gained the 2022 Brazilian dash race and full GP and is in his second season at Mercedes following a three-year stint at Williams – mentioned he had “the most horrendous feeling in the world”.
Wolff acknowledged his driver was “devastated” however anticipated a steep studying curve.
“We should not neglect it is his second yr in a aggressive automobile and he was actually giving all of it he had,” continued Wolff.
“He was pushing exhausting to be able to win the race. At that stage, the one approach of overtaking Norris and perhaps Sainz was to only not depart a millimetre on observe.
“Lando kissed the wall and he was behind him when he hit more durable, in order that value him the race however should you push like this, issues can occur.”
Wolff added: “I believe George is after all an out-and-out racer and is devastated.
“However what I mentioned to him was, we performed for third place and never a win.
“It’s a steep studying curve and with such conditions, a second yr at Mercedes, it isn’t going to occur once more when it’s for a victory or a championship.
“However clearly he’s very upset.”