P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Mercedes endured a difficult race in Mexico City last weekend and slipped to third place in the constructors’ standings.
Mercedes has acknowledged that it was too slow in making crucial decisions regarding its drivers during the Mexico City Grand Prix. Initially, Haas’ Oliver Bearman was in third place, with Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli and George Russell behind him after the first round of pit stops. Russell felt he was being held back by Antonelli and pressured by Oscar Piastri. After appealing to the Mercedes pit wall for several laps, Russell was eventually allowed to overtake Antonelli but couldn’t catch up to Bearman. Mercedes recognized that it hesitated in taking action and lacked the necessary pace to compete for a podium finish. In hindsight, the team admitted that being more prompt in decision-making would have been beneficial, as neither Russell’s initial overtaking attempt nor his later fresh tire stint led to improved results. Antonelli and Russell ultimately finished sixth and seventh, respectively, with Russell relinquishing the position he gained back to his teammate.
