Russell: 'Our bold decisions have cost us dearly'

Mercedes driver George Russell was one of two drivers who came into the pits after the formation lap and fitted slick tyres.

However, this risk was not the right decision because the safety car came out a few minutes later and the rain had not yet increased in intensity.

Russell spun later in the race and dropped down the order, finishing his home race in 10th place.

"It wasn't a stupid decision to pit at the beginning of the race because the track was dry for 25 minutes," the Briton said.

"What we didn't know was that 15 minutes of that time would be spent under the virtual safety car."

George Russell, Mercedes

Photo: Glenn Dunbar / LAT Images via Getty Images

"When the virtual safety car ended, we had a five-second pace advantage over the drivers on wet tyres."

"If we had kept going at full speed during that time, maybe we could have gotten back into the lead. But when it started raining, everything came together, everything went against us."

"In our position, if you want to play it safe you'll see a safe finish. That would probably be fourth."

"Am I saying here right now, 'I wish I was fourth'? Yes. But we wanted to be brave and take risks, so we made ambitious decisions, but they cost us dearly," he said.