Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff said he was less concerned about George Russell’s radio complaints during the Brazilian Grand Prix than the team’s lack of pace.
The team endured what he called their worst weekend for 13 years at Interlagos. Lewis Hamilton could only finish eighth and Russell retired with overheating after 57 of the race’s 71 laps.Russell had spent all but five of the preceding 56 laps either immediately behind or two cars behind Hamilton, much to his frustration, and had told his team several times over the radio during that time about how his race was being compromised in that position. It followed a similar exchange in the Japanese Grand Prix and a collision between the pair in Qatar.
However Wolff said the team’s overriding concerns was why it was so far off the pace in Brazil. “I think the race [management] and the messages for us today are completely irrelevant,” he said.
“There was nothing to manage or nothing to say, it’s a complete sideshow. I think the fundamental issue is that the car was slow.
“So I’ve no problem with things being broadcasted or not because whether it’s controversial or not, fundamentally if there’s no performance like that and it’s off then who cares?”
Several frustrated messages from Russell were broadcast on the world feed during Sunday’s grand prix. A few laps into the restarted race, as he ran behind Hamilton, Russell told his team: “Let’s work together. I won’t attack in these early laps, but I’ll need DRS.”
But as his team mate tried to keep pace with the Aston Martin of Fernando Alonso ahead of him, Russell became concerned about their situation. His messages to his race engineer Ricardo Musconi included the following:
Russell: “Make sure he doesn’t go outside of DRS.”
Musconi: “He’s trying to get DRS off Alonso as well.”
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Russell: “If we’re going to work together he needs to manage more in [turn] 11. I’m having to push loads through there to stay in DRS.”
Musconi: “He’s been told to manage as well.”
Russell: “I’m having to push too hard in 11 and 12. I either overtake or he needs to manage more through there.”
Russell: “My feeling is we don’t have the pace. I’m sliding.”
Russell: “Are we working together here or are we just doing our own race?”
Later in the race Russell’s engine began to overheat:
Musconi: “We need more management turn 11 on throttle.”
Russell: “Do you want to race or concede positions? You want more management, or we go backwards.”
Musconi: “We do need to make sure these tyres make it through the stint. We do want to race, but we want to make it through the stint.”
A further message from Russell when he ran close behind Hamilton after his first pit stop conveyed his frustrated at Mercedes’ management of their race.
Russell: “I haven’t been on the radio because I thought it was quite obvious about the pace. I’m just sat here, burning my tyres.”
Mercedes replied telling him to look for clear air to help with power unit. But it was not enough as a few laps later he started to suffer from de-rating, then retired.
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