'Broken' George Russell defended for unauthorised F1 absence: 'It was a step too far'

Martin Brundle has supported George Russell skipping his FIA-mandated media duties after Kimi Antonelli clinched the F1 drivers' championship at the Mexico City Grand Prix.

Russell missed the usual post-race press pen at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez after his Mercedes team-mate was crowned, an eventuality that has long been evident given Antonelli's healthy lead in the standings.

Brundle insisted he does not "blame" the British driver, who has slumped to fourth in the title fight, for avoiding the media, something for which Russell has received criticism, even though he made sure to congratulate Antonelli and the 20-year-old's family before departing the circuit.

Mercedes gave the eight-time grand prix winner permission, but a lack of authorisation from the motorsport governing body earned the team a €5,000 fine.

Team principal Toto Wolff appeared happy to pay, taking a sympathetic and understanding approach to a "devastated" Russell, who has endured a bruising campaign, having been comfortably beaten by Antonelli in a season he was the overwhelming favourite to take the title.

Reflecting on Russell and the championship fight, Brundle told Sky Sports News: "He'll be broken, because he waited at Williams for a long time as a Mercedes junior to get his chance in the works Mercedes team, and got it just as they stopped winning.

"They suddenly turned up with these new 2026 cars, with an early dominant car. It's not dominant right now, but it was certainly in the first phase of the season, and then this kid turns up and just transforms from a bit of a liability in year one to a generational talent in year two, and George has had to observe that, and I think it's affected his own performance.

"And then he's been so unlucky, but then Antonelli had his fair share of unreliability and dropping out races too."

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Brundle backs Russell actions at his 'lowest ebb'

Brundle empathised with Russell's state of mind after the grand prix, regardless of how long-coming the outcome has been.

He highlighted the generous access the press has to F1 drivers, something that is often taken for granted, and pointed out that it was just too much, too soon for the 28-year-old.

"George didn't want to face the media straight after the race; don't blame him," the former F1 driver added.

"We get more access to Formula 1 drivers than any other sport could even dream of, with top players in, or what have you in their sports, their disciplines.

"And I think it was a step too far for George... He did congratulate him, of course, underneath the podium, but to put up with, well, 'How do you feel, George?' And, 'Is this the end of the road for you?'

"So I don't blame him. The team got fined €5000, and George will be... I would be very happy to pay that, to be honest, not to have to basically face the music to the world when I'm at my lowest ebb, and I think that's fair enough, frankly."