Lewis Hamilton and George Russell at odds after baffling Mercedes strategy call

Mercedes made a baffling strategy call in Japan (Image: F1 TV) Lewis Hamilton and George Russell were both left frustrated after Mercedes made a controversial strategy decision in the closing stages of the Japanese Grand Prix. The Silver Arrows were scrapping over P4 to P7 with season-long rivals Ferrari when Carlos Sainz began to close on Hamilton and Russell with mere laps remaining. Russell had opted for an unconventional one-stop strategy, leaving him vulnerable to the threat of Sainz without the DRS of Hamilton. The 25-year-old Brit was running in P5 as the trio closed up. With Hamilton running behind Russell and Leclerc out of catching distance further up the road, the younger of the Mercedes duo was able to hang on if the seven-time world champion stayed behind as a rear-gunner.  Instead, Mercedes decided to invert the drivers, instructing the man from King’s Lynn to hand the position to Hamilton, who had previously hoped to be unleashed in order to have a shot at Leclerc. This prompted a confused reaction from Russell, who asked to invert the cars on the final lap of the race, giving him the best possible shot of holding on to crucial points in the Constructor Championship battle. Despite his protests, Russell was told that Mercedes’ instructions were an order and not a suggestion with the British driver handing the position over to Hamilton into turn one.  We’ll be bringing you the very latest updates, pictures and video on this breaking news story. For the latest news and breaking news visit: /sport/football . Stay up to date with all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you. Follow us on Twitter @‌dexpress_sport – the official Daily Express & Express.co.uk Twitter account – providing real news in real time. We’re also on Facebook @‌dailyexpresssport – offering your must-see news, features, videos and pictures throughout the day to like, comment and share from the Daily Express, Sunday Express and Express.co.uk .