By Karim Hammam
George Russell said he “needed to get out of there” after leaving the Mexican Grand Prix early, following a race that saw him drop from second on the grid to sixth after a power loss and a 10‑second penalty for colliding with Isack Hadjar.
Mercedes fined for excusing media duties
Mercedes excused the 28‑year‑old from post‑race media obligations, a decision that drew a €5,000 fine from the FIA. Team principal Toto Wolff described Russell as “distraught” and experiencing a “catastrophic moment” after watching team‑mate Kimi Antonelli clinch the world championship.
Season plagued by problems
Russell has won three races this season compared to Antonelli’s nine and has slipped to fourth in the standings, only five points ahead of Charles Leclerc. He revealed that only six of the 20 weekends have been trouble‑free, calling the run of issues “unbelievable” and suggesting it feels more like misfortune than anything within the team’s control.
Determined to rebound in 2027
The British driver insists he will not simply accept the setbacks and has vowed to work with Mercedes to understand why so many races have been undermined. “You need to just have a deep, deep look in the mirror and pick yourself up again,” he said, adding that he aims to bounce back stronger next season.
