George Russell EXPLODES over “lawnmower racing” chaos at Mexico GP – F1 drivers cutting corners and stealing positions!
In an explosive outburst that has sent shockwaves through the motorsport world, George Russell has harshly criticized the “lawnmower racing” antics seen during the opening lap of the Mexico Grand Prix. The Mercedes driver, visibly fuming, took aim at the controversial tactics employed by his rivals, which he believes robbed him of valuable track position.
The chaos erupted as polesitter Lando Norris, alongside heavyweights Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc, and Max Verstappen, barreled into the first braking zone four-wide. While Norris and Hamilton maintained their lines on the track, Leclerc and Verstappen brazenly cut Turn 2, re-emerging in first and third positions, respectively. Russell, who had adopted a cautious approach and taken an inside line into Turn 1, was left seething as he watched his competitors go off-track and rejoin ahead of him.
“It’s absolutely baffling,” Russell exclaimed to Sky Sports F1. “I don’t understand how three drivers can cut the first corner and just continue in the position they entered. It’s like having a get-out-of-jail-free card when you gamble everything. It’s absurd!”
When pressed about the apparent inconsistency in stewarding decisions, Russell didn’t pull any punches: “If there’s this get-out-of-jail-free card, it’s holding me back on the circuit. If there was gravel, those drivers wouldn’t have been able to do that. We’ve seen this same scenario play out year after year. It’s like we’re watching lawnmower racing!”
Russell’s frustration didn’t end there. He pointed out that Leclerc and Verstappen had made no attempt to stay within the lines, with Verstappen risking it all and still coming out unscathed. “The guys who did the right thing were the ones who came off worst,” he lamented, showcasing the unfairness of the situation.
As the race progressed, the drama continued to unfold. On lap 6, Verstappen, determined to reclaim his position, engaged in a fierce battle with Hamilton. Amid the fray, Hamilton found himself penalized for crossing the grass after locking up, but Russell’s ire was directed at Verstappen, who cut Turn 3 and returned to the track in front.
“Lewis deserved the penalty for his actions, but Max going off-track and returning in the wrong place should have been penalized as well,” Russell insisted. The fallout from this chaotic exchange saw Russell slip back behind competitors Oliver Bearman and his own teammate, Andrea Kimi Antonelli.
The podium was ultimately claimed by Norris, Leclerc, and Verstappen, while Hamilton’s penalty saw him tumble to eighth place and Russell finish in a disappointing seventh. “If I’d emerged from the first corner in P3, we would have finished P3. That’s been the story of our season,” Russell reflected, clearly frustrated by the missed opportunity.
In a season filled with highs and lows, Russell’s fiery comments shine a light on the need for consistent and fair officiating in Formula 1. As fans and drivers alike await the next race, one thing is clear: the battle for justice on the track is far from over!
