The pair were running close together on the track in fifth and sixth in the closing stages of the Suzuka race as the fast-charging Sainz closed up behind them.
Hamilton, who was on better tyres, was eventually allowed past Russell, but was then immediately ordered to slow down to try to keep Russell within DRS range so he would not be such a sitting duck against Sainz on the straights.
This came just one week after Sainz himself brilliantly used the same tactic to give Lando Norris a boost, which successfully staved off an attack from Mercedes.
But Hamilton questioned the tactic as he felt that not being allowed to pull clear and build up a big enough gap against Sainz was completely the wrong thing to do.
"I don't think that was a good idea at all," explained Hamilton. "When they suggested it to me, I knew that they had obviously thought of it from the last race, and it made no sense.
"I needed to get as far clear ahead as possible and I was on my way. I was around two seconds ahead and they asked me then to give George DRS, so I had to come off the gas down the straight to get him 0.8s behind.
"He got DRS, but got overtaken, which was going to happen because he was on a one-stop and we were on a two.
"Then he [Sainz] got past him and he was right on my tail, so yeah, not ideal. It made it very hard for the last couple of laps, but I think as a team we've got to be grateful for a fifth and seventh. It's better than a sixth and seventh."
Source: Autosport