Mercedes F1 struggles with financial strain as two crashes in one week challenge their strict budget cap limits.
Toto Wolff has admitted that Mercedes F1 faces “serious problems” with its budget cap following George Russell’s second major crash in the space of a week.
The British driver suffered an accident at the start of the second free practice session for the Mexican Grand Prix. Last weekend, in Austin, he incurred significant damage during an incident that cut short his qualifying session at the Circuit of the Americas.
Russell’s W15 required yet another extensive rebuild before the final practice session and qualifying at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.
“We had to break the curfew to carry out the repairs. I think we can save the old chassis, but it had to be replaced to ease the work, and everything else had to be removed or changed.”
“The engine had to be removed, the gearbox checked, and then everything else. Two corners of the car were completely destroyed, so it’s a case of severe damage.”
“We find ourselves in a very delicate situation. We’re all struggling to comply with the budget cap, and we had a serious accident with Kimi [Antonelli] at Monza. Then, another with George last week [in Austin], and yet another this week.”
Wolff detailed the extent of the crash, which far exceeded the FIA’s threshold for precautionary checks.
“It was 35 G. It was a significant impact. He was taken to the medical centre, but he’s fine.”
“But of course, the car was heavily damaged… though we had all the spare parts.”
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Russell’s Accidents Put Mercedes Budget Cap Under Pressure Russell’s Accidents Put Mercedes Budget Cap Under Pressure
