![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/73\/590x\/secondary\/George-Russell-Mercedes-5001576.jpg?r=1696840572220\")
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George Russell has claimed that there are no hard feelings from his side about the lap-one crash between himself and Lewis Hamilton at the Qatar Grand Prix after the pair came together, ruining both drivers\u2019 race plans.<\/p>\n
Hamilton was starting on the soft compound tyres with his strategy depending on clearing his team-mate and polesitter Max Verstappen quickly after the light went out. This ultimately led to an ill-fated move around the outside of Russell at turn one.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Both drivers were audibly frustrated over the team radio after the race but Hamilton quickly fronted up to being responsible for the crash after watching back the replays. The seven-time world champion was forced to retire as a result of the incident, while Russell shuffled to the back of the pack after making a stop to repair front-wing damage.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Click here to join our WhatsApp community to be the first to receive breaking and exclusive F1 news.<\/strong><\/p>\n Don’t miss… <\/strong> FIA president fires ‘money’ accusations at all F1 teams as he eyes major change[LATEST] <\/strong><\/p>\n Speaking to Sky Sports F1<\/em> after the race, Russell said: “We both had the possibility of standing on the podium. Obviously nothing intentional both ways. These cars are so difficult to see when you are racing – there’s big blind spots.<\/p>\n “We both have so much respect for one another. We will go past this and I’m sure we will speak and everything will be OK. We spoke about it (the fast starts for soft-tyre runners). From our side, I said this morning, I just want us both to be standing on that podium.<\/p>\n “My goal now is to try and get P2 for the team [in the Constructor Championship). We spoke about Lewis getting ahead at Turn 1. It was just a very difficult situation. Lots of positives to take away. It was by far the most physical race I have ever competed in. It was insane how hot it was. Like I was inside an oven. That was a big challenge.”<\/p>\n More F1… <\/strong> We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info<\/p>\n Despite his early setback Russell managed to make the alternative strategy work. The 25-year-old was sitting down in a lowly P14 at the safety car restart but made great use of Mercedes\u2019 impressive pace to recover to fourth place at the chequered flag.\u00a0<\/p>\n Even more critical was that Russell held off the advances of Charles Leclerc, who finished in P5 but ended the race strong on the medium tyres. With Carlos Sainz failing to start the race after a fuel system leak, Mercedes are now 28 points clear of Ferrari in the Constructors’ Championship standings.<\/p>\n
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Lewis Hamilton shows his class in post-race moment with George Russell[HAMILTON] <\/strong><\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/73\/590x\/secondary\/Lewis-Hamilton-Mercedes-5001570.jpg?r=1696840572454\")
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