George Russell hugs Kimi Antonelli’s mother in parc ferme after the Mexico City Grand Prix. Image: XPB Images
Russell failed to attend the media pen to speak with broadcasters and journalists following the race, a requirement of every driver in the field.
The Brit was found to be in breach of Article B10.1.4e of the F1 sporting regulations, after which he was summoned to the stewards where Mercedes were fined 5000 euros ($7995 AUD).
Mercedes explained that Russell was ‘distraught’ following a tough race, which featured an energy deployment problem, contact with Isack Hadjar and a 10-second penalty, all culminating in a sixth place finish.
Antonelli, meanwhile, finished on the podium behind winner Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, enough to seal his first world championship victory with up to four races remaining on the calendar pending a decision on the Middle East events.
“I saw George after the race on the FIA scales and obviously he’s distraught about the situation,” Mercedes CEO Toto Wolff explained, noting Russell congratulated Kimi in person.
“It was a great show of sportsmanship to go and see Kimi. I have known George for such a long time. He is going through a hard time, but he was also responsible in getting the young man into this team.
“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 was not what we thought it should be.
“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.”
George Russell was absent from mandatory post-race media duties after the Mexico City Grand Prix. Image: XPB Images
Russell broke his silence via social media on Tuesday morning (AEDT) with a statement congratulating his junior teammate and reflecting on a difficult season.
The Briton entered this season as a standout favourite for the title, but a series of mechanical failures and poor luck throughout the year derailed his chances as Antonelli continued to rack up victories.
“Now feels like a pretty suitable moment to speak from the heart,” the post read.
“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.”
Formula 1 returns this weekend for the Brazilian Grand Prix at Sao Paulo on November 7-9 (AEDT).