Wolff praises ‘distraught’ Russell's reaction amid Antonelli celebrations

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff says George Russell was “distraught” at not being able to fight for victory on the day Kimi Antonelli won the drivers’ championship at the Mexico City Grand Prix.

Russell started on the front row on Sunday but lost ground on the run to Turn 1 with an apparent lack of power, having made a clean launch off the line. That put him into the pack where contact with Isack Hadjar also earned him a time penalty, and Russell crossed the line in sixth before congratulating Antonelli and immediately departing the track post-race.

“I saw George after the race on the FIA scales, and obviously he's distraught about the situation,” Wolff said. “It was a great show of sportsmanship to go and see Kimi. I have known George for such a long time. For a racing driver, this is a catastrophic moment. And maybe today, the race was a little bit a picture of his season.

“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 thought it should be. So, I'm very much with him at the moment. I've been in situations where it's very, very difficult to cope.

“So, him not doing the media work or leaving the track is absolutely understandable – him staying would have actually surprised me. So, that's absolutely on us.”

Mercedes was fined for Russell not attending his post-race media commitments, but the Briton took to Instagram on Monday to express his emotions after the title was officially put out of reach.

“Now feels like a pretty suitable moment to speak from the heart,” Russell wrote. “This season started off exactly how I had hoped, but it very quickly unravelled with tough luck and poor performances. It’s been the first proper season of my career where I’ve had more bad days than good. Has it been tough to deal with? Yes, very. Has it been tough to pick myself up week in, week out? Yes, very. Confusion at times? Often. All I know is that I’ve given it my all and 2026 was not meant to be my year.

“I want to sincerely congratulate Kimi on what has been an absolutely incredible season. You truly deserve the Championship.

“Thank you to the team for producing the best car and power unit this season; it’s been inspiring to see everyone coming together over four tough years to bring Mercedes back to the top.

“Now, all I can promise is that for the rest of this season, and into the next one, I will be giving my absolute all to rediscover the performance I have been capable of producing for the majority of my career and fingers crossed a little bit of luck returns.”