Wolff says Mercedes will back Russell in title fight

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has said the team will now focus its full effort on helping George Russell reclaim second place in the drivers' championship. Kimi Antonelli has already secured the world title and Mercedes has clinched the constructors' crown in Brazil. Russell trails Max Verstappen by 17 points, with Lewis Hamilton one point behind him.

Wolff acknowledged that the team had contributed to Russell's frustration at Interlagos, where Russell was on a potential pole-winning lap in wet qualifying when he was told to back off. Rain then intensified and ended his final chance. Wolff said Russell had dominated on the wet track before the team cost him pole position.

Russell's frustration continued after qualifying, with moderator Tom Clarkson saying Russell left the FIA press conference before it had finished. Clarkson said he was concerned the difficult season was taking a toll on the driver.