Lewis Hamilton felt sorry for George Russell after his team-mate crashed out in the final lap of the Singapore Grand Prix and explained why the younger Brit was unable to keep his car on track. Both Mercedes cars were pushing for victory in the final stages after pitting for fresh medium tyres with barely two seconds separating the top four drivers.

Russell was running in third and trying to find space behind Norris when he clipped the wall going into Turn 10. That forced the Brit to go skidding off the track into the tyre barrier with Hamilton jumping up to the podium spots.

Hamilton was unable to take further advantage of his team-mates slip up as Carlos Sainz held on for the impressive win ahead of Norris. Mercedes were clearly the quicker are on track by the end, but Sainz and Norris ended up helping each other out to keep Hamilton and Russell at bay.

Speaking after the race, Hamilton admitted both drivers were giving it everything to try and find a way past Norris and close up on Sainz. And the seven-time world champion feels Russell’s tyres were simply running too hot before he crashed out.

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“Extremely unfortunate for George,” Hamilton said. “We were pushing so hard to catch these guys and our tyres were so hot.

“I know he’ll bounce back. He’s been phenomenal all weekend.”

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Norris also felt bad for his compatriot after the race, admitting he got away with similarly clipping the wall at the same corner.

“I hit the wall at the same place,” Norris said. “I did the same at the same place. I think he coped me and he did it even worse.

“I feel for him. He fought a tough race. He was the quickest one out there. It helped me chill a bit more on the last couple of corners but good points for the whole team with Oscar there.”

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