Russell 'distraught' after Antonelli wins 2026 F1 title in Mexico

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has said George Russell was excused from post-race media duties at the Mexico City Grand Prix because he was deeply upset. Russell was watching his team-mate Kimi Antonelli win the Drivers' Championship that day.

Wolff said Russell was "distraught" as he watched the title being decided. Russell had been in contention to fight for the race win himself, but that chance was gone by the time Antonelli secured the title. Mercedes chose not to make him take part in the usual media commitments after the race.

Wolff framed the reaction positively. He said it showed the competitive drive inside the team, with both drivers wanting to win. Wolff did not describe any tension between the two drivers.

A title for Antonelli

Antonelli's title win is a significant milestone for the young Italian. It makes him the first Mercedes driver to lift the championship since Lewis Hamilton's last title in 2020. Mercedes has not said how Russell's mood will affect the team's plans for the next race.

For Indian F1 fans, the result means a new champion from a team that has been a regular title contender in recent years. Live broadcasts of the next rounds are expected to follow the usual schedule, though the sources do not give specific dates or channels.

Wolff's comments were reported on 2 and 3 November. The sources do not say whether Russell has publicly responded to Wolff's remarks.