Wolff backs Russell after pit-lane spin, says Verstappen reported similar behaviour

After the São Paulo Grand Prix, Toto Wolff defended George Russell following the Mercedes driver’s pit-lane spin, saying Russell was not someone who normally spins while leaving the pits. Wolff added that Max Verstappen had reported similar strange car behaviour, and that Russell and Kimi Antonelli had at times faced a very difficult car.

Russell spun on the pit-lane exit during the switch from intermediate tyres to slicks, nearly hitting the wall. He fell to 10th before recovering to fourth. Antonelli had led the race, but reported over team radio that the car felt wrong and suspected a suspension problem. He then spun at Turn 1, lost the lead to Lando Norris and finished fifth.

Wolff could not immediately explain what had gone wrong. He suspected tyre pressure or setup and said the rear tyres looked heavily worn while the fronts appeared almost new. He also said Mercedes had been very quick at points in the race. The team would investigate what it had missed, Wolff said, while leaving with a positive outlook after securing its ninth constructors’ title.