Toto Wolff alerts Mercedes after George Russell’s second practice crash

Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff admitted the team faced “serious problems” keeping spending within budget cap George Russel‘s heavy FP2 crash at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez caused major damage to its W15 F1 car.

In the middle sector, Russell’s W15 hit the exit curb outside Turn 8, knocking the car off balance and sending it sideways into the barriers. The 26-year-old driver emerged from the battered W15 and appeared shaken by the impact. The incident was Russell’s second serious accident; The last one occurred during qualifying at the United States Grand Prix, when his car spun and crashed in a similar manner.

Wolff reported serious damage to Russell’s car, forcing him to use the old chassis; The gearbox and power unit also had to be examined for possible damage. The car faces extensive rebuilding ahead of final practice and qualifying.

The team boss said the team was “struggling” to stay within the cost cap due to Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s high-speed crash in FP1 of the Italian Grand Prix, as well as two major accidents in the last 10 days. Speaking to Sky Sports Germany, he reportedly racing news365Wolff said:

“I think we can keep the old chassis, but everything else has to go away.

“The engine needs to come out, the gearbox needs to be checked and then everything else needs to be checked. Two corners of the car are completely destroyed. So there’s serious damage.”

“We are facing a serious problem. We are all trying to stay within the budget limit and of course we had a bad crash with Kimi (Antonelli) at Monza. Then the second crash with George last week (in Austin) and now again this week.”

Following Friday’s heavy crash, Russell was immediately taken to the medical center where he was cleared of any serious injuries that would prevent him from participating in the Mexico City GP. Shedding light on the impact of the accident, Wolff added:

“(It was) 35G.

“It was a really big hit. He was taken to the medical center but he’s in good condition.

“But of course the car was badly damaged… but we have (spare) parts.”

With five races remaining in the 2024 season, it is not yet known what steps the Brackley team will take if either driver suffers another accident; especially given the recent difficulties with the W15, which left Lewis Hamilton behind in 2nd place. It’s the same corner where Russell landed his car on the gravel during the USGP, ending his race abruptly.