Mercedes driver George Russell. (AP)

Mercedes have revealed that George Russell was excused from his post-race media duties at the Mexico City Grand Prix because he was “distraught” after watching team-mate Kimi Antonelli clinch the 2026 Drivers’ Championship.

Russell began the season as the title favourite but has been comprehensively outperformed by Antonelli, who finished third in Sunday’s race to become Formula 1’s youngest-ever world champion at 20, with four rounds still remaining. The British driver started second on the grid but a technical issue out of his control caused a poor getaway, dropping him to sixth on the opening lap. He was also handed a 10-second penalty for a collision with Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar and eventually finished sixth.

Before leaving the circuit, Russell was one of the first to congratulate Antonelli in person. Mercedes initially announced he would not be doing post-race interviews without giving a reason, but team principal Toto Wolff later explained the situation.…