Russell Summoned by Stewards After Skipping Media Duties at Mexico City GP

George Russell's Mexico City Grand Prix ended with a stewards' summons after he skipped his post-race media duties — on the same afternoon Mercedes team-mate Kimi Antonelli was crowned the youngest world champion in F1 history. Russell had started second but faded to sixth, his title hopes formally extinguished, while Antonelli's third place sealed the crown.

Why it matters:

Every driver is obliged to appear in the media pen after a race — first for television, then for the written press — unless the FIA medical team excuses them on health grounds. Russell did neither, and he was also missing from the Mercedes celebrations in front of the garage. The stewards cited an alleged breach of Article B10.4e and summoned him for 19:00 local time.

The details:

• Mercedes told media via WhatsApp that Russell would not attend, apologising for the late notice and saying his comments would appear in the team's usual written materials.
• No medical explanation has been offered publicly.
• A media-pen no-show is normally met with a reprimand or a fine, though stewards retain discretion.
• The optics are uncomfortable: a title party unfolding metres away while one of the team's drivers headed for the exit.

What's next:

Russell will make his case to the stewards, with a verdict expected within hours. Whatever the outcome, the day belongs to Antonelli — and to a Mercedes team now closing out a triumphant afternoon with an awkward footnote.