Hamil♎ton, starting on soft tyres, made a fast start and attempted to sweep around the outside of Turn 1 as he ran three-wide with Max Verstappen and Russell. 

But Hamilton’s rear wheel made contact with Russell’s front left, with the seven-time world champion losi🌟ng a wheel as he was sent spinning off into the gravel. 

Russell picked up damage and ⭕was forced to pit at the end of the opening lap, but he is still running. 

“Yeah I got taken out by my 𓄧own team-mate," Hamilton said𒅌 over team radio. 

Russell made his frustrations clear, saying: "Come on! Wh👍at the hell?

"Guys, come on. Two races in a row!"

Russell later added: "So sorry, guys. I wasn’t even looking behind. I was just focused ahead and heও came from nowhere.

"I’m f****** lost for words, honestly. I've just seen𒁏 the replays on the TV screen. I couldn't do anything, I was sandwiched."

Russell's e🐎ngineer replied: "Keep your head down."

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff, who is absent from the race as he recovers from෴ kneeಌ surgery, got involved, telling Russell: "George, let's race now, let's make the best out of it." 

The inꦬcident will be investigated after the race.