2026 Sao Paulo GP: Russell rues qualifying call

George Russell said a misjudgement cost him in Sao Paulo qualifying, while reports pointed to a Mercedes pit wall call and his grid penalty.

George Russell said a misjudgement cost him a shot at pole for the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, as reported by Formula1.com. Motorsport.com reported Russell was second in qualifying behind Lando Norris, while Autosport and Motorsport.com said he also had a five-place grid penalty for an engine change.

The fallout then shifted to Mercedes. Motorsport.com reported team principal Toto Wolff responded to Russell’s angry radio messages after qualifying, while RaceFans reported Wolff believed an aborted lap would still have left Russell second. RaceFans also reported Russell was upset after being told to abandon a lap that could have put him fastest in Q3.

Russell arrived at the event fourth in the 2026 drivers' championship on 250 points. The British driver, born on 15 February 1998, had made 161 Formula 1 starts and taken seven wins, while Mercedes was in its 19th season with 138 wins and eight titles.