Hamilton looked to overtake his t⭕eammate on the run to Q1 after Russell was driving slowlꦅy out of the final corner.

The seven-time world champion was forced o𝓀nto the grass, picking up front wing damage in the process.

“George just backed off,” Hamilton said over team radio after the incident. “That’s really dangerous. I might have some damage ꧅on the car.”

Russ🔴ell told Mercedes: “You didn’t tell me there was a car behind. I’m sorry guys.”

Speaking to Sky after qualifyin𓆉g, Russell p🦹ut it down to a miscommunication.

"Yeah pretty much [a miscommunication],” he said. “I wasn’t even aware he was the🥀re. I was starting my lap, trying to take the slipstream from Sainz and fortunate that nothing bad happened.”

It was ultimately a disastrous day fo🦹﷽r Russell, who was knocked out in Q2.

Explaining wha𒈔t went wrong in Barcelona, he said: "Everything to be honest. I am not too sure why. Straight out of the box in run one, I just had no grip from the tyres, really struggling. 

“The car started to bounce a lot in the high-speed corners so I couldn’t take corners flat-out when I was doing so this morning. A really odd session. Not surprised to be out in Q2 b♛ecause the car was totally off the pace. I didn’t have a good feeling with it. Disappointing for sure.”

Russel🔴l was🌜n’t sure overnight setup changes were to blame for his lack of performance.

• Verstappen storms to pole ahead of Sainz and Norris in dramatic qualifꦓying

“We did change some things but nothing we would have expected t♌o have such a substantial effect,” he added. “Maybe one thing I can contribute towards the lack of performance. It was tricky🐻 for everyone out there. 

“There were cars strugglin♕g left, right and centre but we shouldn’t be in this position. It’s a bit of a shame.”