Russell slams 'lawnmower race' Mexico GP amidst corner cutting

George Russell didn't hold back his anger at the Mexican Grand Prix after multiple corner cuts from other drivers on the first few laps of the race went unpunished.

The British driver expressed fury during the 71-lap event, shouting to his race engineer over the team radio that other drivers were taking to the grass as a means to avoid the risk of a collision during the chaotic first few laps of the Grand Prix.

He was also angry at his team, Mercedes, for failing to let him by his teammate Andrea Kimi Antonelli to try and overtake Oliver Bearman for extra points.

Ultimately, Russell couldn't find a way past Bearman's Haas and overall had a subpar weekend, crossing the finish line in a disappointing seventh position.

Should Drivers Concede Positions If They Cut Corners?

Russell was left feeling bitter after two separate incidents of corner cutting from other drivers which directly affected the outcome of his race.

Firstly, both Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen cut the opening sequence of corners on lap one and rejoined the circuit without losing any positions. Just a few laps later, Verstappen clashed with Lewis Hamilton which saw both drivers go off-track - and re-join in the same positions.

Speaking to Sky Sports F1 after the 71-lap event, Russell wasn't pleased with the aforementioned scenarios being allowed.

He said: "I don’t understand how three drivers can cut the first corner and just continue in the position they entered.

"It’s like allowing you to risk everything and you just have a get-out-of-jail-free card if you get it wrong.

"Obviously when Max and Lewis came together, Lewis got a penalty and rightly so – but Max was off the track and came back on. It was the wrong place and the wrong time for me and I lost three positions," Russell lamented.

It's Not The Drivers' Fault, It's The Circuits'

Instead of blaming the drivers, Russell chose to point the finger at the layout of the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez for having corners and run-off areas that can be easily exploited.

He continued: "Obviously I was pretty frustrated but it all stemmed from lap one.

"Ultimately it’s down to the circuit and there is this get-out-of-jail-free card. If there was gravel then nobody would be there."

The British driver recalled previous Mexican Grands Prix, where similar events had taken place.

• Read Also: Mexico City Grand Prix - Race results

He added: "We’ve seen it almost every year we’ve been here. It was Carlos last year and Charles the year before or Lewis 10 years ago. It’s like a lawnmower race.

"Something needs to change there. That’s not really how it should be," concluded Russell.

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