George Russell blasts Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc's first lap antics in the F1 Mexican GP

Mercedes driver George Russell (started P4) has bashed Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc for their lap 1 antics in the 2025 Mexican Grand Prix. Both Verstappen (started P5) and Leclerc (started P2) cut Turn 2 on lap 1 of the race and emerged in third and first place after rejoining the track.

George Russell, on his end, took the inside line going into Turn 1 and stayed on the track. In line with this and Verstappen/Leclerc's antics, Russell has made his frustrations known.

The Mercedes driver is not pleased with the fact that both Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc joined the racetrack ahead of him. Via an interaction with Sky Sports F1, Russell has added:

"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, but you just have a get-out-of-jail-free card if you get it wrong."

Russell further shared his take on the stewarding decisions and added:

"Well, I think it holds me down to the circuit. You know, if there is this get-out-of-jail-free card… If there was gravel, no one would be there."

George Russell did not have the most fruitful of outings in the 2025 Mexican Grand Prix. Despite his best efforts, the Brit slipped backward in the pecking order and was only able to come away with a P7 finish.

"I would relish going up against him": George Russell on the prospect of Max Verstappen as Mercedes teammate

F1 Grand Prix of Qatar - Sprint & Qualifying - Source: Getty

While George Russell has slammed the antics of Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc in the 2025 Mexican Grand Prix, quite recently, the Brit also gave his take on potentially having Verstappen as his teammate at Mercedes in the future.

In line with this, Russell has asserted that he would relish the opportunity to go up against a driver like Verstappen. Via an interaction with the Telegraph, the former added:

"Max is an incredible driver. There’s no denying that. But that’s why I would relish going up against him. We all believe we’re the best. I don’t see why he wouldn’t [feel the same]… I mean, it’s obviously more of a lose-lose situation for him."

"The same as when I was teammates with Lewis. If he beat me, he was expected to. But if he lost to me, yeah, it’s seen as a big loss. Or the same with me and Kimi now. But I mean, we’re getting well ahead of ourselves here."

George Russell is contracted to the Toto Wolff-led Mercedes F1 team at least until the end of 2026. Moreover, there is a performance related clause that could trigger an automatic extension for 2027.