Mercedes boss Toto Wolff believes George Russell could have taken the chequered flag in Australia had events not conspired against him.
Starting second on the grid behind eventual winner Max Verstappen, Russell seared past his Red Bull rival at Turn 1 while team-mate Lewis Hamilton also overtook the Dutchman. But the moment was short lived for the Silver Arrows, as Alex Albon's crash on lap seven scuppered their one-two.
Russell immediately headed to the pits, believing he was getting his mandatory tyre change done in an opportune moment. Having given up his place though, the race was red flagged which allowed his rivals an unhindered pit stop of their own.
