Russell Skips Title Celebrations, Mercedes Fined
George Russell left the track early and skipped media duties after his Mercedes teammate celebrated the championship.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Motorsports
George Russell left the track early and skipped his teammate's title celebrations, with Mercedes incurring a cost of €5,000 to excuse him from media duties. Russell explained his absence in a press session in Brazil on Thursday.
Why it matters
Russell said he was upset about missing a good result because the championship was already over for him, and his team's difficulties this season add to the strain. The episode highlights the pressure within the Mercedes squad during a season marked by inconsistent weekends.
Russell's teammate has scored 130 more points, recorded 6 more wins and 10 more podiums than Russell this season, with no DNFs. Mercedes has had a clean weekend in only six of 20 races, while Russell's team has faced issues in 14, and the stub does not detail the causes of those failures.
The players
George Russell
A Mercedes Formula One driver whose early departure and skipped media duties after his teammate's title celebration drew attention to the team's internal tensions.
Mercedes
The Formula One team competing in the championship, which paid €5,000 to excuse Russell from media duties following the Brazilian Grand Prix.
Toto Wolff
The Mercedes team leader who said Russell was distraught after the race weekend.
The details
Russell left the track early to avoid his teammate's title celebrations and media duties, and Toto Wolff said Russell was distraught. Mercedes incurred a cost of €5,000 to excuse him from media commitments, which Russell addressed at a press session in Brazil on Thursday.
Timeline
• Brazilian Grand Prix, November 5, 2026: Russell left the track early and skipped title celebrations.
• Thursday following the race: Russell faced the media in Brazil to explain his absence.
Season Trajectory
Mercedes' 2026 season has been marked by unreliable race weekends, with issues in 14 of 20 events, which has widened the gap between George Russell and his teammate in points, wins and podiums. This internal strain now sits alongside a championship that has already been decided in the teammate's favor, shaping how the team's competitive balance is being read.
Russell's teammate now holds a 130-point lead in the standings, which affects how fantasy and betting projections for the remaining races are being recalculated. The contract and salary implications of the team's cost for excusing Russell from media are not addressed in the source.
The takeaway
Team tensions can surface quickly after a season's outcome is settled, and the open questions around Mercedes' reliability will shape the remaining races. Readers following the season should watch how the team addresses both the results and the internal fallout.
Further reading
For more on the teams and drivers shaping this season, explore our Motorsports coverage.
