George Russell said a problem with energy deployment on the opening lap of the Mexico City Grand Prix cost him positions and compromised his chance of a strong result. The Mercedes driver finished sixth, scoring eight points, while team-mate Kimi Antonelli took third and secured second place in the Drivers’ Championship ahead of him.
Russell had qualified second, just 0.009 seconds behind Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton, and made a good start. But, as he explained after the race, he did not have full deployment on the straight and lost several places.
While fighting Isack Hadjar for fifth, Russell made contact with the Red Bull, sending Hadjar into a spin. He received a 10-second penalty. Russell later held off Lando Norris, but a longer pit stop cost him fifth place.
Russell congratulated Antonelli, describing his team-mate’s championship achievement as well deserved. He said the race had been disappointing and frustrating because the issue was outside his control, adding that he would reset and focus on helping Mercedes win the Constructors’ Championship in Brazil.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff said the team had let Russell down on the opening straight, with energy delivery not working as expected. Wolff described the race as one Russell could have won and said he understood how difficult the situation was for the driver.
Sources: Formula 1.