Fourth-starting Russell initially challenged a slow-launching Fernando Alonso for third place before settling into position. But on lap 12 of 70, he ran deep into the Turns 8-9 chicane to hit the inside kerb.
That deflected him wide into the exit wall where he damaged his front wing and rear-right wheel.
Russell managed to limp the W14 back to the pits for repairs and he did resume, eventually climbing up to eighth place in a car he reported to be “a bit bent but it’s OK”.
However, Mercedes instructed him to eventually pull out on lap 53 due to excessive brake wear.
Initially, it was thought that his retirement was directly related to the wall hit that might have damaged the brake cooling ducts to cause temperatures to spike. But Russell suspects …