George Russell launches Mercedes review after Mexico setback

George Russell says Mercedes has begun examining a run of recurring problems after a review with his engineers found that only six of his races this season were free of trouble. The assessment followed a costly Mexico City Grand Prix, where a start issue and a time penalty derailed his afternoon.

Russell arrived in São Paulo with no firm expectations, having finished fifth and fourth in Friday’s two practice sessions. He said he was focused on the parts of his performance he could influence, while hoping the setbacks beyond his control would stop disrupting his season.

Mexico setback prompted a race-by-race review

Starting second in Mexico, Russell lost ground when a deployment problem on the run to Turn 1 restricted his speed. He dropped to sixth, then struggled to make progress through the field. A collision with Isack Hadjar brought a 10-second penalty, adding to a race that Russell felt had offered a genuine chance to challenge for the lead.

The disappointment continued after the finish: Russell left the circuit quickly and missed the post-race celebrations. His title hopes had also ended in Mexico City, where Kimi Antonelli secured the championship.

In the days after the race, Russell and his engineers went through each event of the season. They identified trouble in 14 races, a pattern that Russell said needed closer scrutiny rather than being repeatedly dismissed as bad luck. The review is a deeper look at the team’s recurring difficulties, not simply a reaction to one poor result.

The latest setback adds to the questions surrounding Russell’s longer-term position at the team. Read more about the Mercedes future facing Russell alongside Antonelli.

Russell is looking beyond immediate expectations

Russell said he was disappointed by how Mexico unfolded, particularly after qualifying second had given him a strong opportunity to fight at the front. But he is not approaching the São Paulo weekend expecting a specific result.

Instead, he said he would keep working on what he can control and hope the issues outside his control resolve themselves. He also made clear that he is already looking forward to next year.

The Mexico result marked another turn in a season that has steadily eroded his championship chances. Russell had previously described his title prospects as exceptionally unlikely after a setback in Madrid; the report on that assessment traces the earlier blow to his campaign.