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Fans reacted as George Russell shared his analysis of the opening lap incident during the 2025 F1 Mexican GP. He claimed he was running within the top three and then found himself in P6 heading into turn three.The Mexican GP started out with drivers going four wide into turn one for the lead, which included Lando Norris, both Ferraris, and Max Verstappen, who had started out P5. The latter had to go wide around the first corner and came out in front of George Russell. He then claimed that Verstappen should give the position back; however, the Dutchman had seemingly overtaken Russell way before the corner, so he was not compelled to give the position back.There were other drivers who went off the track, too, including the other Mercedes of Andrea Kimi Antonelli and Charles Leclerc, but they handed the positions back. As Russell found himself losing positions, there was no message from the stewards for any drivers to give back positions, which would have benefitted the Mercedes driver. The Brit finished the race in P7 after losing places to Oliver Bearman, Antonelli, and Oscar Piastri. Post the race, Russell posted a video on his Instagram story, showcasing the onboards of multiple drivers. He also claimed that he had clinched P3 off the line."Turn 2 thinking I'm in P3, staying on track clean and tidy. Nice. Turn 3, P6. Grea🤦♂️😂"However, fans were not particularly amused by his comments. Many felt that the driver was simply "whining," with others mentioning that he had never made up the places that he claimed he did.Sir Digby Chicken Caesar @FedericoGuzmanLINK@Motorsport guy was never in p3, all he does is whineLori @jujukinnieLINK@Motorsport Whenever anything doesn't go his way he lashes out with crying and borderline whiningMartellus Bennet @BennetMartellusLINK@Motorsport He was p4 the whole timeSome also commented that Russell had lost positions right off the starting line.Jorninho @Jorninho1908LINK@Motorsport Russell was miles behind them at turn 1hmmmm @777mmvvLINK@Motorsport Turn 3 p6 and ended p7 in the race. What a driveFlax @FlaxSamaLINK@Motorsport Focus George, focus.George Russell criticizes corner-cutting in Mexico: "It punishes the drivers who have driven correctly"Lando Norris won the race with a wide margin over Charles Leclerc, who shared an intense battle with Max Verstappen throughout the race's final moments. The drivers made the podium places of the race, with Oliver Bearman marking a career-best P4 finish. At the same time, George Russell only finished P7.He also argued with his team, requesting to swap places with his teammate to attempt an overtake on the cars ahead. The team was late to allow the cars to swap positions, and Russell could not overtake any of his competitors ahead. Subsequently, he had to give the position back to Antonelli.Looking back at the race, Russell once again mentioned the corner cutting on the opening lap, adding that it "punishes" the clean drivers."I struggle to understand how three drivers can just cut the first corner and continue," George Russell said (via F1). "It punishes the drivers who have driven correctly, and if you can risk everything with no downside, that is what drivers are going to do. It has always been the case here in Mexico – people cutting Turn 1. So I was frustrated."With Leclerc's podium, Ferrari managed to retake the second position in the Constructors' Championship from Mercedes. Both teams have been battling out for the spot throughout the season's length, and Red Bull Racing has also found itself in competitive pace once again.
