<p>A "gutted" George Russell proved himself a potential star before being deprived of a win on Sunday by a shocking Mercedes pit-stop blunder and a late puncture in the Sakhir Grand Prix.</p>.<p>The 22-year-old Briton, released by Williams to substitute for coronavirus victim and seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, dominated the 87-lap contest for 62 laps before a mix-up in the pits ruined his race.</p>.<p>Despite an extra pit stop, he climbed to second but punctured just as he was closing in on Sergio Perez.</p>.<p>"I've had races where I've had victories taken away from me, but twice? I couldn't believe it," said Russell, who recovered from his late setbacks to finish ninth and clock the fastest lap -- thus claiming his first three points in Formula One.</p>.<p>"I couldn't believe what was happening. I drove my heart out. I had the race under control, especially in the beginning, and then obviously the safety car came out, which was annoying, but I felt comfortable.</p>.<p>"I made some good overtakes and I was fired up. I was ready to chase Sergio to get the win back and it would have been tight, but we would have done it."</p>.<p>Russell took the initiative from the start and was five seconds clear of team-mate Valtteri Bottas after their first scheduled pit-stops when, during a second safety car intervention, Mercedes decided to 'double-stack' their cars in the pits for new tyres.</p>.<p>Team chief Toto Wolff said a radio failure resulted in a bungled pit-stop for both drivers. Russell stopped first and after he drove off Bottas came in and the team discovered they did not have the right new tyres.</p>.<p>The front tyres from Bottas' set of mediums were accidentally put on Russell's car.</p>.<p>Russell was called in again for a second stop to have his correct tyres fitted but it meant he had driven with tyres which did not carry his driver code.</p>.<p>Russell faced the possibility of disqualification but stewards opted to spare him and fine Mercedes 20,000 euros ($24,620).</p>.<p>"The responsibility to fit tyres in compliance with the regulations still rests with any team and thus a penalty is considered as being required," said the stewards.</p>.<p>The pit-stop chaos left Russell fifth at the restart following the second safety car.</p>.<p>He fought back to second before a puncture, ironically likely to have been caused by debris from the Williams car he usually drives, after debutant Jack Aitken lost his front wing in a crash. Russell had to pit again and dropped to 14th.</p>.<p>He climbed to ninth, but he was sorely disappointed at failing to land a remarkable victory.</p>.<p>"If you'd told me at the start of this weekend that I would score some points, I'd have said 'right, that's going to be a pretty fantastic weekend', but if you'd told me I'd be leading the race and then end up... Aargh... I don't know...</p>.<p>"It really hurts. Honestly, it really bloody hurt when I got out of the car. I spoke to my parents straight away. I knew they were feeling it. They said you've got so much to be proud of."</p>.<p>He said Wolff, Mercedes strategist James Vowles and engineer Pete 'Bono' Bonnington had also been positive.</p>.<p>"We all hugged it out so, hopefully, I've given Toto some problems to sort out for the future. I'm happy. I'm proud."</p>
<p>A "gutted" George Russell proved himself a potential star before being deprived of a win on Sunday by a shocking Mercedes pit-stop blunder and a late puncture in the Sakhir Grand Prix.</p>.<p>The 22-year-old Briton, released by Williams to substitute for coronavirus victim and seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, dominated the 87-lap contest for 62 laps before a mix-up in the pits ruined his race.</p>.<p>Despite an extra pit stop, he climbed to second but punctured just as he was closing in on Sergio Perez.</p>.<p>"I've had races where I've had victories taken away from me, but twice? I couldn't believe it," said Russell, who recovered from his late setbacks to finish ninth and clock the fastest lap -- thus claiming his first three points in Formula One.</p>.<p>"I couldn't believe what was happening. I drove my heart out. I had the race under control, especially in the beginning, and then obviously the safety car came out, which was annoying, but I felt comfortable.</p>.<p>"I made some good overtakes and I was fired up. I was ready to chase Sergio to get the win back and it would have been tight, but we would have done it."</p>.<p>Russell took the initiative from the start and was five seconds clear of team-mate Valtteri Bottas after their first scheduled pit-stops when, during a second safety car intervention, Mercedes decided to 'double-stack' their cars in the pits for new tyres.</p>.<p>Team chief Toto Wolff said a radio failure resulted in a bungled pit-stop for both drivers. Russell stopped first and after he drove off Bottas came in and the team discovered they did not have the right new tyres.</p>.<p>The front tyres from Bottas' set of mediums were accidentally put on Russell's car.</p>.<p>Russell was called in again for a second stop to have his correct tyres fitted but it meant he had driven with tyres which did not carry his driver code.</p>.<p>Russell faced the possibility of disqualification but stewards opted to spare him and fine Mercedes 20,000 euros ($24,620).</p>.<p>"The responsibility to fit tyres in compliance with the regulations still rests with any team and thus a penalty is considered as being required," said the stewards.</p>.<p>The pit-stop chaos left Russell fifth at the restart following the second safety car.</p>.<p>He fought back to second before a puncture, ironically likely to have been caused by debris from the Williams car he usually drives, after debutant Jack Aitken lost his front wing in a crash. Russell had to pit again and dropped to 14th.</p>.<p>He climbed to ninth, but he was sorely disappointed at failing to land a remarkable victory.</p>.<p>"If you'd told me at the start of this weekend that I would score some points, I'd have said 'right, that's going to be a pretty fantastic weekend', but if you'd told me I'd be leading the race and then end up... Aargh... I don't know...</p>.<p>"It really hurts. Honestly, it really bloody hurt when I got out of the car. I spoke to my parents straight away. I knew they were feeling it. They said you've got so much to be proud of."</p>.<p>He said Wolff, Mercedes strategist James Vowles and engineer Pete 'Bono' Bonnington had also been positive.</p>.<p>"We all hugged it out so, hopefully, I've given Toto some problems to sort out for the future. I'm happy. I'm proud."</p>