SINGAPORE – Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has no regrets over his crew’s technique gamble on the Singapore Grand Prix, which finally noticed George Russell throw away a podium when he crashed into the boundaries on the final lap.

Mercedes’ technique software program was predicting a victory at instances within the closing phases of the race after each Russell and Lewis Hamilton made an additional pit cease for recent tyres on lap 44.

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Russell pitted from second place and Hamilton from fourth, with the 2 vehicles rejoining the race in fourth and fifth.

With recent tyres they had been then capable of chase the lead vehicles and closed in on Lando Norris in second place and Carlos Sainz in first within the remaining few laps.

Russell got here near passing Norris for second place, however on the ultimate lap hit the wall at Flip 10 and retired.

“We tried to win and we did not,” Wolff mentioned. “The positives are that I really like the decision from driver and technique crew to say ‘we’re going for it’. Worst case was second and fifth, finest case we win — first and second — our planner confirmed that at instances.

“However I am unhappy for George, as a result of he delivered a 99.9% unbelievable weekend and a split-second lack of focus clipped the wall and this occurred, however I mentioned to him I might reasonably this occurring now and the educational is there reasonably than once we race for a victory or championship this might be engraved in him, this error.

“Lewis had a troublesome day yesterday and he rebounded, had a number of tempo on the finish, a deserved podium. So it is bittersweet, however total I am pleased in regards to the efficiency, pleased about the place the automotive was all weekend, and I feel we gave it our greatest shot.”

Wolff mentioned Russell was pushing to the restrict within the closing laps and believes his view of the wall, which juts out on the entry of Flip 10, was obscured by Norris, who additionally clipped the barrier forward of him.

“We should not neglect it is George’s second 12 months in a aggressive automotive and he was keen, giving all of it he had, to win the race.” Wolff mentioned. “At that stage the one manner of overtaking Norris and possibly Sainz was to not depart a millimetre on observe, and Lando kissed the wall, and he was behind him and he hit it more durable, so yeah that price him the race, however in the event you push like this this stuff can occur.”

Hamilton secured third place for Mercedes, however Wolff mentioned the efficiency of the automotive, on a weekend when championship leaders Pink Bull had been out of rivalry, was the most important increase for the crew.

“Yeah I feel that is the optimistic that you just say we have been actually sturdy right here, we may have received right here, we may have completed first and second right here on advantage and that can energise us much more.

“On this explicit observe we had been sturdy, so not all the things is fallacious, and also you see on the planner P1 and P2 popping up at instances and assume it may have been an unbelievable day, and it is not, however I might reasonably fall again on the positives of this weekend such as you mentioned and return dwelling and say that was a great one.”