George Russell was clearly pleased. After the 2025 Mexican Grand Prix, the Brit had no nerve for diplomacy, but made it clear how dissatisfied he was with the late team order at Mercedes. For large parts of the race he was stuck behind teammate Andrea Kimi Antonelli. When the team management finally reacted, it was too late.
He made his first pit stop on lap 25, but it wasn’t until 16 laps later, on lap 41, that Mercedes gave the go-ahead to swap places. “At that point my tires and brakes were overheating and the engine was starting to overheat,” said Russell after the race.
“There was no point in doing it anymore. Either you do it immediately or leave it alone. Ultimately, we deserve to have arrived where we have arrived.” By that he means sixth and seventh places. From Russell’s point of view, much more would have been possible.
What had happened? Antonelli had passed Russell during the chaotic few corners during the Hamilton-Verstappen duel and also defended this position during the pit stop.
Both then hung directly behind Oliver Bearman, who had no DRS, but Antonelli couldn’t get past. After Russell’s first request to swap places was unsuccessful, he finally lost his temper. Already irritated by the chaotic starting phase, he radioed his race engineer Marcus Dudley, who had just pointed out to him that the rear tires were overheating:
“Marcus, I’ve got a f***ing vehicle stuck up my ass, okay? A car that’s a lot faster than us! I’m trying to defend the position. I have a lot more pace than Kimi and could fight for a podium. I would give the position back if I don’t make it. But my tires will be completely fucked if I have to sit here anymore!”
Formula 1: George Russell frustrated
After the race, Russell appeared composed, but his frustration was palpable. When asked if he wanted to address the issue internally, he dismissed it: “No. As I said, the whole thing goes back to the first corner. Without the situation with Max and Lewis, I wouldn’t have been in this position in the first place. So there’s not much to say.”
He expressly defended his race engineer: “Marcus only transmits messages, he doesn’t make any decisions. Ultimately, I’m not fighting against Kimi for a championship, we’re fighting [als Team] against Ferrari and Red Bull for the constructors’ championship.”
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Later in the race, the two Mercedes drivers swapped positions again after Oscar Piastri overtook both Antonelli and Russell. In doing so, Russell fulfilled his promise.