F1 news: Lewis Hamilton makes cryptic Mercedes comment as George Russell issues apology

George Russell said he was sorry for an 'ugly race' at the Canadian Grand Prix despite securing a first podium of the year for Mercedes.

After taking the chequered flag, he apologised to his race engineer via team radio.

"Ugly race on my behalf," said Russell. "Sorry for that. I'm very sorry for that."

Carlos Sainz is convinced that Ferrari's dreadful pace at the Canadian Grand Prix was a 'one-off'.

The Spaniard and Charles Leclerc were knocked out early in qualifying before failing to finish the race.

"It was not an ideal weekend for anyone in the team but we will try and reset and go again," said Sainz.

"It is clear that we were not on the right end of the pace and were struggling as a team.

"In any condition, we seemed to be struggling with the balance and the pace, but it is going to be a one-off and we will be back in Barcelona where we are normally."

Esteban Ocon was left furious with Alpine after they refused to let him pass Pierre Gasly on the final lap of the Canadian Grand Prix.

Ocon moved aside to let Gasly through under team orders with two laps remaining.

He felt that he should have been given the position back on the final lap but was told: "The cars are not swapping places."

Discussing the incident after the race, Ocon said: "I think today I’ve done my part of the job but I don’t think the team did their part of the job.

“I’ve been a team player and I’ve always respected the instructions that I’ve been given, always, it’s always been the case and I showed it once more today.

"But the nice guy doesn’t always pay off in Formula One and that is bothering me a lot."

Jacques Villeneuve has accused Daniel Ricciardo of getting 'personal' in their war of words at the Canadian Grand Prix.

Villeneuve kicked things off on Friday by suggesting that Ricciardo was only in F1 as a result of his marketability.

The Aussie issued a fiery response after qualifying, telling Villeneuve to 'eat s**t' and insisting that he would not give his comments the time of day.

Firing back at Ricciardo's insults, Villeneuve said: "His reaction was a little bit personal and he’s a role model.

"Like all these 20 [drivers], you’re at the top level, you have to be responsible in your answers, professional. Kids are listening to you. You cannot make it personal.

"Ultimately you will get criticism, you need a thick skin and I got under his skin but it got better for his driving. But it’s not enough, he needs to do more of this."

George Russell feels the Canadian Grand Prix was a 'missed opportunity' for Mercedes to end their lengthy wait for a race victory.

The Silver Arrows have not graced the top step of the podium since Russell took the chequered flag at the Brazilian Grand Prix two years ago.

"It feels like a missed opportunity, to be honest," said Russell, who started on pole in Canada but ended up in second place.

"We were really quick at the beginning of the race on the inters and then obviously Lando came through really fast. Then we got back on to the slicks, made a couple of mistakes out there just pushing the limits and paid the price for it.

"Nevertheless, first podium of the year and we truly had a really fast car this weekend and to be back in the mix fighting for victory was really fun."

Max Verstappen has revealed that he nearly killed a groundhog by accident during the Canadian Grand Prix.

Groundhogs are a common sight at the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve and were spotted at the side of the track on several occasions throughout the weekend.

"He was almost dead," recalled Verstappen. "I started to get to the last chicane and I thought it was debris initially.

"I started to close in and then I’m like, oh my god, it’s an animal. So yeah, I swerved right at the last moment. I don’t know what happened after."

Lando Norris believes he would have won the Canadian Grand Prix if McLaren had pitted him before the safety car was first deployed.

Speaking after the race, he said: "We should have won the race today and we didn’t, so it’s frustrating.

"We had the pace, probably not in the dry at the end but it turned out it didn’t really matter too much. But we should have won today, simple as that.

"We didn’t do a good enough job as a team to box when we should have done and not get stuck behind the safety car."

Lewis Hamilton has added fuel to the speculation about his qualifying performances by suggesting that 'other things' came into play at the Canadian Grand Prix.

The 39-year-old has previously hinted at favouritism towards George Russell and made a similar suggestion after finishing fourth in Montreal.

"Some other things came into it yesterday, but mostly myself, and then today, one of the worst races I have ever driven," he said.

"Just lots of mistakes. But obviously, if I had qualified better, I would have been in a better position. It is what it is."

Sergio Perez has received a three-place grid penalty for the next race in Spain after driving back to the pits with major damage to his car.

The Mexican limped back to the garage with his rear wing hanging off after spinning into the wall at Turn Six.

Red Bull have also been fined £19,648 as a result of the incident.

Stewards heard from driver and team before deciding there had been a breach of Article 26.10 of the sporting regulations.

The rule states: "If a driver has serious mechanical difficulties, he must leave the track as soon as it is safe to do so."

Hello and welcome to Express Sport's rolling coverage of the latest Formula One news in the aftermath of the Canadian Grand Prix.

We'll be bringing you the biggest stories from across the paddock throughout the day, so grab a coffee and stay tuned...