Russell puts constructors’ title ahead of his fight for drivers’ runner-up spot

After the United States Grand Prix, George Russell sat second in the drivers’ standings, one point ahead of Lewis Hamilton. He said winning the constructors’ championship was his main priority.

Asked after the race how important it was to hold second, Russell said: “For me, as long as we win the constructors', that's the main thing.” He added that he would like to finish as Mercedes’ “best of the rest”, but that second, third or fifth would not make him champion.

Russell finished eighth in Austin after a five-second penalty for leaving the track and gaining an advantage while fighting McLaren’s Oscar Piastri. Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc were fourth and fifth in the standings, six and nine points behind Russell respectively.