Sports · Motorsport · 7 hrs ago
Mercedes accepts blame after Russell’s Mexico GP bid falters
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff accepted responsibility after George Russell’s bid to win the Mexico Grand Prix went wrong.
Russell started on the front row at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, but an energy deployment problem dropped him to sixth by the first turn.
He later hit Isack Hadjar’s Red Bull while trying to pass, and a 10-second penalty further hurt his race.
Russell remained sixth after the race resumed following a red flag, and he made no progress in the remaining laps.
Wolff said Mercedes had the pace to win and that the team had let Russell down; he also said Russell’s disappointment was understandable.
Earlier energy and power unit problems had also affected Russell during the season, including failures that led to retirements in Canada and Malaysia.
Teammate Kimi Antonelli said Russell would recover, while Mercedes expects strong rivals next season, including Red Bull, Ferrari and McLaren.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff said the team let George Russell down after an energy deployment issue hurt his start at the Mexico Grand Prix.
Russell dropped from the front row to sixth by Turn 1.
He later received a 10-second penalty for contact with Isack Hadjar.
Russell finished the race without making progress in its second part.
Mercedes excused Russell from media duties after the race, and the FIA fined the team €5,000.
- Who
- George Russell and Mercedes, whose team principal is Toto Wolff.
- What
- An energy deployment issue disrupted Russell’s start at the Mexico Grand Prix. He later received a 10-second penalty after contact with Isack Hadjar.
- When
- At the Mexico Grand Prix; the articles were published on 4 November 2026.
- Where
- Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Mexico.
- Why
- Mercedes said its energy delivery did not perform as expected. The cause of the issue was not stated.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Russell started from the front row and initially retained his position, but an energy deployment issue affected his car.
Russell had dropped to sixth.
Russell made contact with Isack Hadjar, sending the Red Bull into a spin; Russell received a 10-second penalty.
Russell was sixth again after the penalty put him behind Lando Norris.
Russell congratulated Kimi Antonelli and left without completing media duties; the FIA fined Mercedes €5,000.
- Starting position
- Front row
- Position by Turn 1
- Sixth
- Penalty
- 10 seconds for contact with Isack Hadjar
- FIA fine
- €5,000
- Team principal
- Toto Wolff
3 sources
What people are saying
We had the pace in the car and we let him down on the first straight.
The energy delivery is not what we have thought it should be.
He has had a little bit more than me, being honest.
You know, he's super quick.