George Russell asks Mercedes for talks after 'worst decision ever' involving Lewis Hamilton

George Russell has demanded talks with his team after a quick decision saw him fall down the pecking order at the Japanese Grand Prix on Sunday. The irritated Mercedes star fared the worst in a pit lane incident involving Lewis Hamilton, which effectively ended his chances of challenging for a top-five finish.

>

Difficult conditions sparked a frantic first few laps at Suzuka, with riders diving into the pits to fit intermediate tires as the track partially dried out. Russell qualified eighth on Saturday and although he quickly moved up two places on Sunday, his good work was undone by a misjudged pit lane incident.

With the race still young and the field back together, Mercedes overtook and Russell was forced to wait while team-mate Hamilton fitted his own intermediate tyres. The youngster then lost no less than eight places, emerging in P14, which left him with a mountain to climb.

Russell expressed his anger on team radio, calling it "the worst decision ever made" and despite his calm after the checkered flag, his feelings remained the same.

DON'T MISS:

"We need to look into what happened", . "I was right behind Lewis and double stacking, I was just going to lose all positions. Not really much more to say, very frustrating afternoon. Probably could have fought for P5 .

"It was quite nice there, I made some good overtakes but we have to sit down with the team and see what we could have done better. It was probably not the right thing to do at the time."

READ MORE Lewis Hamilton shares Japanese GP lessons as Briton eyes Suzuka win

The main storyline for a rain-soaked Suzuka was Max Verstappen securing his second world title in confusing circumstances. Only 29 of the 53 laps were completed but all the points were awarded, to the surprise of many, mathematically putting him ahead of Charles Leclerc and Sergio Perez with five Grands Prix remaining.

On the other hand, Mercedes had to settle for a disappointing result as Hamilton came fifth and Russell took the checkered flag three in P8. After the chaotic race, the latter called for improvements as the spray made it difficult for riders to navigate the track safely and efficiently.

"You didn't know where the drivers were, you didn't know where the puddles were, where the rivers were," added the Briton. "So it was literally just the visibility. I don't know if with these new cars they generate more spray.

"Obviously there have been so many other improvements with racing, maybe that's one of the downsides, who knows? But for sure the rivers here at Suzuka must need improvement as they are exactly the same as they have had for about four or five years now in the same places."