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

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.

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.

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

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