GEORGE RUSSELL was taken to the medical centre after a big crash during free practice ahead of Formula One’s Mexico Grand Prix.
Russell, 26, had started his weekend on fire by going quickest with a 1:17.998 in Friday’s first practice session.
However, things went off course for the Brit in FP2 as he lost control of his Mercedes car when riding over the kerb at Turn 9.
Russell’s car went for a spin across the track before it eventually came to a halt by hitting the Tecpro barrier, resulting in heavy damage to the right side of the car mainly on the sidepod and rear wing.
Fortunately, he was able to get out of the car unaided but was seen clutching his midriff with the collision clearly leaving an impact.
But the crash still required the presence of the medical car before he was taken to the medical centre for precautionary checks.
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A Mercedes spokesperson said Russell was “physically OK but it was a significant impact”.
Race stewards red flagged the session to repair the wall, before racing resumed following a 24-minute delay.
Mercedes later released a statement confirming Russell had been released from the medical centre and was back with the team.
Speaking to reporters afterwards, Russell said: “Yeah, I’m okay. Definitely feel a bit winded after that one but I honestly don’t really know what happened.
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“The car just started bouncing on the ground and before I had a chance to catch it it was already spinning.
“So yeah, a lot of work for the guys tonight again. It seems like it’s one thing after another at the moment.
“It’s frustrating as FP1 we were really strong, really fast trying to take that same line and cutting the corner and for whatever reason on this occasion in FP2 the thing just started going on me.”
Russell similarly crashed out during qualifying in the United States Grand Prix.
On the importance of Saturday’s final practice session before qualifying, he added: “I mean FP2 because it was the Pirelli tyre test it wasn’t hugely valuable in terms of what you would learn going into the race weekend.
“So obviously missed out on laps so FP3 is going to be important. I just we can get the car fixed.”
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The final practice session of the F1 Mexico Grand Prix weekend starts at 6.30pm UK time, with qualifying getting underway at 10pm.
The race is then 8pm on Sunday.
Max Verstappen leads the driver championship standings by 57 points after controversially being bumped up to P3 after a penalty was applied to title rival Lando Norris.
McLaren lodged an appeal against the penalty after it had been deemed that Norris had left the track and gained an advantage to overtake Verstappen, but it was rejected.
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Charles Leclerc won last week’s race, his third of the season to draw level with Norris on three each.
Meanwhile, Verstappen has seven wins to his name, but is winless since the Spanish Grand Prix in June.
F1 reporter Isabelle Barker’s prediction
I EXPECT Max Verstappen to go all guns blazing over the next six-rounds. I also think his experience and aggression could give him the edge.
It seems too little too late for Norris showing consistency, despite that dominant win in Singapore last time out.
You can’t help think what could have been had he sorted out his first-lap issues sooner.
Norris needs to prove he has the mental fortitude, because we all know he’s got the speed, the team and the fastest car.
Verstappen has endured an eight-race winless streak, but he has still managed to score points, with three second-places during that time.
So I think the Dutchman will lift his fourth world-title this season, by the skin of his teeth.
Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk
