George Russell has admitted he is all but out of the Formula One championship fight after an unfortunate DNF at Sepang.
The Briton started the Bahrain Grand Prix, staged in Malaysia, seventh on the grid but was running in third place when he was forced to retire by a power unit problem during a late safety car period.
Antonelli extends title lead
His team-mate, the runaway championship leader Kimi Antonelli, crossed the line second, joining Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton on the podium as he extended his points advantage to 84 with just seven rounds left in the season.
Russell's championship hopes were already rapidly fading coming into this weekend, but this latest disappointment, his third retirement of the season, is a hammer blow to his chances of claiming a first-ever drivers' title.
Russell's reaction
"You've almost got to laugh," he told Sky Sports post-race. "I'm beyond disappointment.
"It's just so many times this season it's happened. It's a real shame. Of course, (I will) just keep on fighting. Just keep on trying to go podium to podium.
"(I drove a) solid race. Not amazing race but solid race. Not the first time so I'm probably used to these feelings and these questions, let's say."
Championship reality check
Pressed as to whether he had any remaining hope of catching Antonelli in the drivers' championship, Russell acknowledged the odds were no longer in his favour.
"I don't need to say I think it's gone but, of course, it's exceptionally unlikely and that's just the reality," he said.
"I knew if I wanted to come back, I needed luck on my side. Unfortunately, I had luck not on my side.
"So, you know, a three-point loss today, being behind Kimi, turned into an 18-point loss.
"Of course, if it was on the other side it would have been an 18-point gain. So it's a real shame, but that's just how it is."
The F1 circus heads to Singapore next as Russell looks to salvage his campaign.
