George Russellhas criticized “lawnmower racing” after initial-lap incidents that might have caused him to lose track position in Formula 1’s Mexico Grand Prix.
Polesitter Lando Norrisaddressed the initial braking area with four vehicles side by sideLewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen, from the inside out; while the first two remained on the track, Leclerc and Verstappen took a shortcut through Turn 2, coming out in first and third positions respectively.
Hamilton overtook Verstappen for third place on the outside of Turn 5, but failed to regain the position from Leclerc. Meanwhile, Russell, who took a cautious inside line into the first corner, became frustrated when his competitors went off the track and rejoined ahead of him.
“I don’t grasp how three drivers can take the first corner and simply keep the position they entered,” theMercedesRacer said to Sky Sports F1, “It’s as if you’re allowed to take all the risks, but you have a free pass if you make a mistake.”
When asked about inconsistencies in decision-making, Russell responded, “Well, I believe it keeps me focused on the track. You know, if there was a way to avoid consequences… If there was gravel, no one would be there.”
We’ve witnessed it almost every year since we’ve been here. I think it was Carlos [Sainz] last year, Charles the year before, and Lewis ten years ago. It’s like a lawnmower race.
Something has to be changed there. Because, as I mentioned, if you can simply send it outside, you can either make it stick or just mow the grass and return to your previous position. That’s not really how it should be.
Russell then explained the circumstances to the press: “Leclerc didn’t make any effort to remain on the track. Verstappen, naturally, took a big risk and failed but kept going. Those who did the correct thing ended up suffering the most.”
On lap 6, Verstappen challenged Hamilton inside Turn 1, with theFerrariDriver remained outside the track even after being forced off at the corner exit. Finding himself on the outside for Turn 2, Verstappen took a shortcut through Turn 3 and re-entered ahead.
Hamilton overtook him on the way to Turn 4, with Russell following closely behind, prepared to strike if a chance presented itself. Hamilton locked his wheels and veered onto the grass instead of using the designated run-off area, resulting in a 10-second penalty for gaining an unfair advantage.
“Max and Lewis, when they met, Lewis deserved the penalty, but Max was off the track, re-entered at the wrong moment and place, which cost me three positions,” Russell said to Sky, having fallen back behind.Oliver Bearman and Mercedes team-mate Andrea Kimi Antonelliin that sequence of occurrences.
Clearly, I was quite annoyed, but everything started from the first lap.
As the British driver later mentioned in written interviews, he felt that Verstappen’s incident while competing against Hamilton “deserved a penalty as well.”
In the first turn, the leading drivers Norris, Leclerc, and Verstappen ultimately occupied the podium positions, as Hamilton’s penalty caused him to drop to eighth at the finish line, with Russell placing seventh behind Antonelli.
“If I had emerged from the first corner in third place, we would have finished in third. That’s the tale of the season,” Russell lamented.
Further contributions from Stuart Codling
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