George Russell fumes at Mercedes over team radio as Ferrari have the last laugh

George Russell was left fuming on the Mercedes team radio as team-mate Kimi Antonelli held him up during the Mexico City Grand Prix after he was not let through

George Russell vented his frustration over the Mercedes team radio during the Mexico City Grand Prix before finally having his wishes granted. The British driver was irked by his team-mate Kimi Antonelli slowing him down during Sunday’s race.

Oscar Piastri, who led the championship before the green lights, was hot on his heels in sixth place, forcing Russell to maintain his position rather than surge ahead. The five-time race winner was keen to challenge Oliver Bearman instead.

“We got a Ferrari (Charles LeClerc) and a Haas (Bearman) ahead, we can fight for the podium here,” Russell said, adding, “I’m happy to give the position back to Kimi if I can’t overtake Bearman.

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“We’re just compromising both our races. I’ve got much more pace here, guys.”

Russell then repeated: “I’m trying to hold position. I’ve got much more pace than Kimi here.

“We can fight for a podium. I’m happy to give the position back if we don’t achieve it.”

After Antonelli finally yielded on lap 42, Russell responded: “Ohh, great.” The Brit then gained a two-second lead on the next lap as Antonelli tried to fend off Piastri.

However, things didn’t quite go as planned. Both Antonelli and Piastri pitted on lap 49, with Piastri switching to soft tyres and emerging ahead of the Mercedes after a swift pit stop.

Meanwhile, Bearman and Russell were clocking similar times before they both pitted a lap later, with the rookie maintaining his lead. By lap 52, the Mercedes driver had become the fastest on track, trailing Bearman by just a second.

Russell managed to close the gap to half a second, but by lap 54, it had doubled again, with Piastri hot on his heels, less than a second behind. The gap reduced further to within seven-tenths by lap 59.

However, a momentary lock-up from Russell on the next lap allowed the Aussie to make his move. As they raced side by side, Piastri successfully overtook and claimed fifth place.

True to his word, Russell handed the position back to Antonelli two laps later. The drivers finished sixth and seventh, while LeClerc coming second and Lewis Hamilton in seventh meant that Ferrari moved one place ahead of them in the team standings, giving them the last laugh.

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