Wolff apologises to Russell after Mercedes energy issue in Mexico

Toto Wolff apologised to George Russell after a Mercedes energy-deployment problem hampered the Briton’s start at the Mexican Grand Prix. Speaking to Sky Sports F1 after the race, the team principal said Mercedes had let Russell down again and that, at that point, the team did not know what had happened.

Wolff said he believed Russell was in contention for victory and that a lack of energy then ruined his race. Russell started second on the grid after missing pole to Lewis Hamilton by 0.009 seconds, but lost ground at the start. He was given a 10-second penalty for a first-lap collision with Isack Hadjar and finished sixth.

Kimi Antonelli finished third and claimed his maiden championship title. Russell fell from second to fourth in the drivers’ standings, 11 points behind second-placed Max Verstappen and nine behind third-placed Hamilton. Wolff said his aim was to provide Russell with the equipment and support to fight for a championship.