George Russell reckons the Mercedes Formula 1 squad faced the “perfect storm” of pain during a disappointing Austrian Grand Prix .

Having won in Canada a fortnight ago, Mercedes once again struggled with the higher temperatures, as a sweltering Spielberg presented a number of negatives for the team .

With Andrea Kimi Antonelli crashing out on the opening lap , it was left to Russell to deliver for Mercedes but – despite an early pass on the Ferrari of Lewis Hamilton – he fell back into fifth spot and was over half a minute adrift of his former team-mate.

In all it left Russell, who spent the weekend discussing his future with Mercedes and the fact it might still be eyeing up a move for Max Verstappen , bemoaning a tough weekend.

“This was a bit of a perfect storm,” he sai

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