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| George Russell's latest crash has put Mercedes in danger with F1's budget cap |
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has conceded George Russell’s FP2 crash at the Mexico City Grand Prix has placed the team in “serious trouble” with Formula 1‘s cost cap.
Russell’s participation in the second practice session at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez was curtailed when his car became unsettled over the kerb in the esses.
The Briton was pitched into a high-speed spin which sent him careering towards the barrier at Turn 9, granting the Mercedes mechanics a comprehensive repair build.
Russell’s incident marked his second in under a week as he also slammed into the wall in qualifying in the United States, costing him the side’s latest update package.
Those two episodes succeeded Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who will partner Russell in 2025, sustaining a vast impact on his maiden FP1 appearance at Monza last month.
With crash damage contributing to each side’s budget cap allowance, Wolff is worried recent events could have a bearing on Mercedes remaining under the threshold.
“I think we can keep the old chassis, but everything else has to go out,” Wolff explained to Sky Germany.
“The engine has to come out, the gearbox has to be checked and then everything else. Two corners of the car are completely gone. So it’s serious damage.
“We’re in serious trouble. We are all struggling to stay within the budget cap and of course we had a bad accident with Kimi at Monza.
“Then the second one with George last week [in Austin] and now again this week.”
Russell’s participation not in doubt
Russell’s touch with the barrier was recorded at 35G and mandated a trip to the FIA medical centre, but he was cleared and is set to continue competing this weekend.
“[It was] 35G,” Wolff divulged. “So that was a really big impact. He was taken to the medical centre, but he’s okay.
“But of course, the car is badly damaged… but we have the [spare] parts.”
- Taylor Powling
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