Russell says Singapore weekend echoed a season of setbacks

George Russell climbed from 19th on the grid to ninth in Sunday's Singapore Grand Prix, but said the weekend was typical of the setbacks that have punctuated his season.

On Saturday, Russell crashed out of the lead in the Sprint. He then qualified sixth, but a grid penalty for taking new power-unit components after his retirement in Malaysia dropped him to 19th on Sunday's grid.

Russell said he was pleased with his progress in the opening stint. But the Virtual Safety Car ended just as he entered the pits, limiting the benefit of the stop; he said he might have stayed out a little longer.

He then chased Audi's Nico Hülkenberg for eighth but could not get past. Russell praised Hülkenberg's defence and said a late move was not worth the risk, so he brought the Mercedes home ninth.

Russell said his last two weekends, in Malaysia and Singapore, could have unfolded very differently. He said he would likely have to serve a second engine-related penalty later in the season, with Las Vegas one possibility. Russell said Mercedes could choose when to serve the penalty and would pick a track slightly easier than Singapore.

Russell said Verstappen had been at a similar level to him in Baku, but that Red Bull had been strongest in Malaysia and Singapore. Mercedes' task now, he said, is to improve the car, recover its earlier form and get on top of its recent updates.