George Russell did not hold back after the Mexico Grand Prix, slamming the lack of consequences for drivers who cut Turn 1. The Mercedes driver was furious after losing track position to rivals who ran wide and rejoined ahead without penalty, describing the scene as “lawnmower racing.”
As the lights went out, Lando Norris, Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc, and Max Verstappen went side by side into the first braking zone. Norris and Hamilton stayed on the racing line, but Leclerc and Verstappen sliced through Turn 2 and came back out in first and third. Russell, who had lined up fifth and stayed tight on the inside, lost out as others jumped ahead.
“I don’t understand how three drivers can cut the first corner and just continue in the position they entered,” Russell told Sky Sports F1. “It’s like, allowing you to risk everything, but you just have a get-out-of-jail-free card if you get it wrong.”
Russell Questions F1’s Track Limit Enforcement
The Briton pointed out that Turn 1 at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez has been a grey area for years.
“You know, we’ve seen it almost every year we’ve been here. I think it was Carlos [Sainz] last year, Charles the year before, Lewis 10 years ago. It’s like a lawnmower racing. Something needs to change there,” he said.
Russell argued that drivers who stay within the white lines end up punished, while those who run off the track benefit from the loophole.
“Leclerc just made no attempt to stay on the track. Verstappen, obviously, just full risk, and got it wrong but continued in his place. The guys who did the right thing were the ones who came off worst.”
Hamilton and Verstappen Clash Deepens Russell’s Anger
Later in the race, the tension increased. Verstappen lunged down the inside of Hamilton at Turn 1. The Ferrari driver stayed on the outside as Verstappen skipped through Turn 3 and came back ahead. Moments later, Hamilton locked up at Turn 4, went across the grass, and received a 10-second penalty for gaining an advantage.
“Max and Lewis, when they came together, Lewis got the penalty rightly so, but Max was off the track, came back on in the wrong place, wrong time for me, and I lost three positions,” Russell said. “Obviously I was pretty frustrated, but it all stemmed from lap one.”
Russell later told written media that Verstappen’s move also deserved a penalty for gaining a lasting advantage off-track.
Russell Misses Out on Podium Shot
The Turn 1 flashpoint proved decisive. Norris, Leclerc, and Verstappen filled the podium. Hamilton’s penalty dropped him to eighth, while Russell had to settle for seventh.
“If I’d come out of the first corner P3, we’d have finished P3. That’s the story of the season,” Russell rued.
His strong words have reignited debate around track limit rules in Formula 1. With Turn 1 once again under scrutiny, the FIA may face pressure to tighten regulations before next year’s race.
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