Wolff reveals why 'distraught' Russell walked away after Mexican GP
Photo: Race Pictures
Tobia is a Formula 1 journalist at GPblog with experience at international circuits. Since 2022, he has covered Grands Prix across Europe, delivering reliable coverage and insights from the paddock.
Toto Wolff experienced contrasting emotions at the Mexican Grand Prix, with Kimi Antonelli securing his maiden Formula 1 world championship while George Russell endured a deeply frustrating afternoon. The Mercedes team principal admitted that the British driver was devastated by the outcome, describing his race as a missed opportunity for victory.
For Wolff, Sunday's race in Mexico City represented both a moment of immense satisfaction and considerable disappointment. Antonelli, the young Italian he backed throughout his rise to Formula 1, finally delivered the ultimate reward by becoming world champion. However, Russell's afternoon unfolded very differently, despite Mercedes appearing to have the pace to fight for the win.
Speaking to the media after the race, Wolff revealed how difficult the result was for Russell, who nevertheless made the effort to congratulate his teammate following his historic achievement.
"I saw George after the race on the FIA scales, and obviously, he's distraught about the situation. It was a great show of sportsmanship to go and see Kimi. I have known George for such a long time, and for a racing driver, this is, this is a catastrophic moment, and maybe today the race was a little bit a picture of his season."
Photo: Race Pictures
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Wolff admits Mercedes let Russell down in Mexico
Russell's hopes of fighting for victory suffered an early setback when an issue with his car's energy deployment compromised his acceleration on the opening straight. The problem proved particularly costly given the competitiveness he demonstrated throughout the weekend.
Wolff accepted responsibility for the setback, suggesting that Russell possessed everything necessary to challenge for the win before the technical problem changed the course of his afternoon.
"This was a race for him to win. 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, and so I'm very much with him at the moment."
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The situation also placed Wolff in an unusual position. While celebrating Antonelli's championship success, the Austrian was equally conscious of Russell's disappointment, acknowledging the frustration of a driver who believed he was capable of achieving considerably more.
Russell's reaction extended beyond the chequered flag, with the Briton leaving the circuit without completing his mandatory post-race media commitments. His absence subsequently resulted in a €5,000 FIA fine for Mercedes.
However, Wolff was unwilling to criticise his driver for departing early, insisting that Russell's emotional response was entirely understandable given the circumstances: "Him not doing the media work or leaving the track is absolutely understandable. Him staying would have actually surprised me."
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