Russell seeks answers after eighth-place finish in the United States GP

A five-second penalty and a lack of pace left George Russell eighth in the United States Grand Prix. Afterward, the Mercedes driver said he could not explain why his pace had been so poor.

Russell started sixth. Stewards penalised him five seconds early in the race after ruling that he had left the track and gained an advantage over Oscar Piastri on the opening lap. He served the penalty at his only pit stop, which dropped him further down the order. He spent much of the remaining race unable to pass Piastri, finishing 1.6 seconds behind the McLaren on the road.

Russell called it a very bad day and estimated that his pace was okay on about six of the 50 laps; he said the rest were well off the pace. He did not know where the performance had gone and said he needed to work it out with his team.

Teammate Kimi Antonelli won in Austin. Russell said his own problems were especially frustrating given the success of the other Mercedes, and that he needed to return stronger for Mexico.