Photo via The Race

Mercedes explains 'distraught' Russell's post-race absence after fine

George Russell’s post-race absence at the Mexican Grand Prix led to a €5,000 fine for Mercedes after he skipped mandatory media duties following a frustrating race. The British driver, who started on the front row but dropped to sixth after a collision with Red Bull’s Isaac Hadjar—earning a 10-second penalty—was visibly upset after the race, where teammate Kimi Räikkönen secured the championship.

Mercedes defended Russell’s decision, citing his emotional state after a season that fell short of his expectations, including a missed opportunity to win a race he was poised to take. Team principal Toto Wolff acknowledged the difficulty of the moment, noting Russell’s role in bringing Räikkönen into the team while emphasizing the driver’s disappointment over the car’s energy deployment issue at the start.

Despite the setback, Russell later congratulated Räikkönen and his family, demonstrating sportsmanship amid the team’s celebrations.

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