Mercedes Acknowledges Delay in Russell's Team Order Request, Admits W16 Lacked Pace in Mexico

Mercedes team representative Bradley Lord has conceded that the team was slow to react to George Russell's team order request during the Mexico City Grand Prix, an admission compounded by the acknowledgment that the W16's pace was ultimately insufficient to challenge Haas's Oliver Bearman.

Why it matters:

Mercedes' internal discussions and strategic missteps in Mexico highlight the intense pressure F1 teams face in split-second decision-making, especially when battling for critical championship points. This incident underscores the delicate balance between allowing drivers to race and implementing team orders for optimal results, further complicated by the car's performance limitations.

The Details:

• Russell's Request: After being overtaken by Oliver Bearman (Haas) and Mercedes teammate Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Russell, having tangled with Max Verstappen earlier, was vocal on the radio, asking for a team order to swap positions with Antonelli. His aim was to attack Bearman and gain ground on the cars ahead.
• Team's Initial Stance: Bradley Lord stated, "It did take a while to figure that out because we, initially, as a team, would let our drivers race and that’s what our racing intent calls for." This policy prioritizes competitive racing between teammates.
• Complex Decision-Making: Lord explained the difficult parameters facing the pit wall. Antonelli was managing his tires for a one-stop strategy, while Russell was pressuring from behind, using more of his tires in dirty air, but felt he had the pace to pass.
• Delayed Swap: Mercedes eventually decided to swap positions, but Lord admitted, "in hindsight regardless of whether we decided to hold position or swap it was the delay that was the thing that didn’t work out for us." The delay meant Russell's tires were past their best by the time he got past Antonelli.
• Pace Deficit: Crucially, Lord also conceded that even with fresh tires later in the race, Russell was unable to make a move on Bearman. "I think on the day we weren’t quite quick enough to make that happen," he concluded, emphasizing that the car's inherent pace was a significant factor.

The Big Picture:

This incident occurred amidst a fierce three-way battle for P2 in the Constructors' Championship between Mercedes, Ferrari, and Red Bull. Ferrari's strong performance in Mexico, with Charles Leclerc finishing P2, allowed them to edge past Mercedes by a single point, intensifying the fight in the remaining races. Red Bull, despite their Mexico struggles due to high altitude, are expected to return to full form from Brazil onwards.

What's Next:

Mercedes will need to quickly learn from their strategic errors and address any underlying performance issues with the W16 if they are to reclaim P2 in the Constructors' Championship. The remaining races will test their ability to execute flawless strategies and maximize the car's potential against formidable rivals like Ferrari and a resurgent Red Bull.