Russell soothes fears over large Hamilton deficit

George Russell has allayed fears over his pace deficit to Lewis Hamilton in the Mexico City Grand Prix after his Mercedes team-mate comprehensively out-performed him once again.

Russell only qualified eighth at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez with Hamilton sixth, with the seven-time champion climbing to second by the end of the race.

His younger team-mate got stuck behind the McLaren of Oscar Piastri in the first stint before coming under pressure from Daniel Ricciardo late on as he faded badly.

Sixth-place meant Russell has only finished ahead of Hamilton once when both cars have finished since the summer break - in Italy - with the second-year Mercedes driver revealing how his challenge was stymied in the closing stages as he finished 28 seconds behind Hamilton.

Last 15 laps 'like driving on ice'

"It was it was like driving on ice for the last 15 laps, which was a pretty miserable feeling and I was very lucky to finish P6," Russell told media, including RacingNews365.

"We were strong here last year, we qualified on the front row and probably should have had a podium last year.

"We've definitely performed well, but this weekend has been about tyres as it has been for everyone.

"Qualifying was a total surprise for many teams, for good or bad, but I'm hopeful Brazil won't be that sensitive [on tyres]."

"I'm not too worried because of the reason behind [the deficit to Hamilton].

"It's been two race weekends in a row, two different reasons; Last time [in the United States] it was the fuel [saving] which lost the tyres, this weekend it was the brakes.

"We need some clarity."