Russell walks out of FIA press conference after lost pole

George Russell left an FIA press conference before it had finished following qualifying for the São Paulo Grand Prix, where he finished second on the grid. Russell had been told by his race engineer, Marcus Dudley, to abort a lap after coming across Alex Albon's Williams in the middle sector, and he believed that lap was good enough for pole. Rain then intensified shortly afterwards, costing him his best remaining chance at top spot.

Russell voiced his frustration over the radio, insisting he was not there for second place. Host Tom Clarkson, speaking on the F1 Nation podcast, said Russell walked out while questions were still being put to him about the incident. Clarkson said he came away thinking Russell needed to calm down, as the frustration could start to eat away at him.

It was the second time in a week that Russell had not fulfilled all his media duties, having also avoided post-race press obligations in Mexico.