Wolff backs Russell after driver skips post-race media duties in Mexico

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff came out in support of George Russell after the driver skipped media duties following the Mexico Grand Prix. Wolff said Russell was bitterly disappointed after the race. The same day, Russell's teammate Kimi Antonelli clinched the 2026 world championship.

How Russell's race unfolded

Russell started from second on the grid, just 0.009 seconds behind Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton in qualifying. He lost ground almost immediately after the start. On the first lap, he made contact with Red Bull's Isack Hadjar and was handed a 10-second time penalty. He finished sixth.

Max Verstappen won the race, with Hamilton and Antonelli completing the podium. Antonelli's third place was enough to secure the championship for the Italian driver.

Wolff's comments

Russell did not attend media duties after the race, even though he congratulated his teammate. The decision cost Mercedes a 5,000 euro fine. Asked whether the choice was Russell's or the team's, Wolff said he had seen Russell at the FIA weigh-in after the race and that the driver was deeply disappointed. Wolff described Russell going over to Antonelli to congratulate him as a wonderful gesture of sportsmanship.

Wolff said he has known Russell for a long time and understands what it means for an athlete. Noting that Russell has been through a difficult period, Wolff said the young driver has played a part in the team's growth. He added that the Mexico race could be a small summary of Russell's season, and that it was a race he could have won.

Wolff said he has also been through situations that are very hard to handle, and stressed that he stands by Russell. He said it was understandable that Russell skipped media duties or left the track, and that if he had stayed on track it would have surprised him. Wolff called the attitude extremely honourable.