'The race went against him' – Wolff reflects on Russell's issues during Japanese GP

Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff believes "the race went against" George Russell during the Japanese Grand Prix and has revealed the issues that meant he could only finish fourth.

While team mate Kimi Antonelli secured back-to-back wins last Sunday at the Suzuka Circuit, Russell was left off the podium for the first time this season having also lost out to Oscar Piastri at the start and Charles Leclerc later in proceedings.

Russell felt he "probably" could have won, having cycled into the lead of the race prior to making a pit stop on Lap 21, just before the Safety Car was deployed following a 50G crash for Ollie Bearman.

Antonelli made his stop under the caution and inherited the lead once racing resumed, eventually reaching the chequered flag nearly 16 seconds clear of Russell.

Throughout Qualifying and the race, Russell had complained about rear end instability, with Wolff confirming changes made after Free Practice 3, which became locked in under parc fermé regulations, put his driver on the back foot.

"I think the race went against him starting with the Qualifying set-up decisions," said Wolff post-race.

"With the set-up decision that put the car in a spot that was literally from FP3 to Qualifying much worse. And then the start, certainly we don't give the two drivers the best of tools for the starts, but then it was also driver mistakes today on the start.

"And then we had to make the call for the Safety Car because we were risking the position to [Charles] Leclerc and then luck fell on to Kimi's side, who was very quick at that stage and bad luck for George that he lost these positions there.

"And then on top of that, we had a software glitch that gave him a super clip and he got overtaken by Leclerc. So, this is literally everything that went wrong for him in the last 24 hours."

The result in Japan means Antonelli has become the youngest driver to lead the Drivers' Championship in Formula 1 history, the 19-year-old now nine points clear of Russell.

Wolff was quick to point out that Mercedes' drivers would be free to race for the title, but that with 19 Grands Prix remaining, securing this year's championships was not a foregone conclusion.

"We're three races in," he added. "The car is good. So we need to continue to do our job and give them a tool that they can continue to win or fight for the positions.

"And then towards the end of the season, we're going to see how the points fall and whether anything needs to be done. But at that stage, absolutely off the leash, both of them, as long as there's always this kind of margin between the cars. We are fine."