Russell fumes after Mexico 'lawnmower race': 'A get-out-of-jail card'

12:51, 27 Oct

Updated: 13:36, 27 Oct

byOlly Darcy

George Russell has branded the Mexico City Grand Prix a "lawnmower race" after several drivers took to the grass during the opening laps.

"It’s like allowing you to risk everything, and you just have a get-out-of-jail-free card if you get it wrong."

- George Russell

A chaotic start at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez saw four cars side-by-side into the first corner, with Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc forced to take evasive action on the grass.

Russell was badly hampered by that start, dropping down to P6, where he ultimately finished, and although a bemused Lewis Hamilton was handed a ten-second stop-and-go penalty for leaving the track and gaining an advantage just a few laps later, the Mercedes driver was angered by the lack of penalties handed out.

"I don’t understand how three drivers can cut the first corner and just continue in the position they entered," Russell lamented to Sky Sports.

A crazy race start saw cars going four-wide into turn 1, with Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc taking to the grass - Photo: RacePictures

"It’s like allowing you to risk everything, and you just have a get-out-of-jail-free card if you get it wrong.

"Obviously, when Max and Lewis came together, Lewis got a penalty and rightly so.

"But Max was off the track and came back on. It was the wrong place and the wrong time for me, and I lost three positions."

Russell questions Mexico circuit

There were also some questions asked by Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur after Hamilton was the only driver handed a penalty for leaving the track and gaining an advantage.

However, Russell did not blame the drivers for their evasive action during the first few laps, but his anger was directed towards the layout of the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.

The lack of gravel traps and the grassy runoff areas were the root of Russell's problems, and that is something he voiced his disapproval over.

"Obviously, I was pretty frustrated, but it all stemmed from lap one," the Brit continued.

"Ultimately, it’s down to the circuit, and there is this get-out-of-jail-free card. If there was gravel, then nobody would be there."

"Something needs to change there. That’s not really how it should be," Russell concluded.

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