‘Devastating moment’ and penalty for George Russell: leaving the circuit after being knocked out of the World Championship

In fact, all Formula 1 drivers are required to give a set number of interviews to the journalists present after every race: A visit to the so-called TV pen, where the broadcasting networks are gathered and arranged in a large U-shape by language, and an appointment with the print media (such as us at SPEEDWEEK.com) are compulsory. The top three drivers take part in the press conference. Everyone else must give a short group interview in the media pen, standing across a small barrier, during which journalists ask their questions and the drivers usually answer for around five minutes. There are very few exceptions to these rules, for example in the event of serious accidents. In Mexico, for instance, Valtteri Bottas was excused following his heavy crash on lap 45. However, another driver did not give any interviews after the Mexican Grand Prix: George Russell, who finished sixth.

Russell was absent from the interview sessions without excuse. According to official document number 83, his Mercedes team had reported to the FIA stewards that Russell had left the circuit without giving any interviews. Russell was summoned to a hearing – but he failed to attend that too. Consequently, the race stewards imposed a fine of 5,000 euros.

Wolff: Russell ‘desperate’ after F1 race in Mexico

What was going on? We’ll probably only hear from Russell himself on media day ahead of the Brazilian Grand Prix, i.e. on Thursday. However, his team principal at Mercedes, Toto Wolff, explained during his press conference that it was linked to his team-mate Kimi Antonelli winning the title – which, of course, also meant Russell was officially out of the World Championship. Wolff: “I saw George at the FIA weigh-in after the race, and he’s obviously completely distraught about the situation.”

Congratulations to Antonelli, but no interviews

Even though his chances of winning the title had been minimal ahead of the Mexican Grand Prix, the decision in Kimi Antonelli’s favour clearly hit him hard. Russell had effectively written off the World Championship back in September in Madrid – but he only seemed to have truly grasped it after the Mexican Grand Prix. Nevertheless, he showed good sportsmanship: Russell congratulated Antonelli and also offered his congratulations to Antonelli’s family, who had travelled to Mexico City.

Wolff: “It was a magnificent display of sportsmanship that he went over to Kimi. I’ve known George for a very long time. He’s going through a difficult time at the moment, but he was also the one responsible for bringing the young man into this team. For a racing driver, that’s a devastating moment.”

Topic of the week

World Champion Kimi Antonelli: record-breaker, heart-breaker, the Tifosi’s dream

With his third-place finish at the Mexican Grand Prix, Kimi Antonelli has become the youngest of the 36 Formula 1 world champions to date. The 20-year-old Italian is on a record-breaking run. The Tifosi are dreaming of Antonelli in a Ferrari.

Mathias Brunner

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