Russell explains departure after Mexico City GP

George Russell said he left the Mexico City Grand Prix circuit after the race because he was frustrated by a technical problem that cost him a chance at a strong result, not because teammate Kimi Antonelli had secured the Formula 1 drivers’ title. Russell explained his reaction in São Paulo on Thursday, November 5, four days after the race, and said he was ready to return to competition. Antonelli clinched the championship with third place in Mexico City, taking his total to 380 points with four rounds remaining. Russell congratulated Antonelli and his family, but did not attend post-race media duties. He said the title outcome was not what prompted him to leave; he was upset that another problem outside his control had affected his race. “I was extremely disappointed Sunday night, more from the fact of missing out on a great result from something again outside of my control, and that was just a really tough pill to swallow,” Russell said. A deployment issue affected his start after he began from second place. He finished sixth; a report on the race also said he received a 10-second penalty for contact with Isack Hadjar. Russell said Mercedes gave him permission to skip the...