Mercedes' 'unnecessary' post about George Russell seconds after Kimi Antonelli wins world title angers fans

F1 fans are divided about what Mercedes posted to its official social media accounts moments after Kimi Antonelli was crowned 2026 world champion following the Mexican GP.

Antonelli’s third-place finish at the Mexican Grand Prix saw him gain 15 points, which was enough to secure the 2026 Drivers’ Championship, while Lewis Hamilton claimed second after a battle with his teammate, Charles Leclerc, at Turn 4. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen clinched victory for the third time in 2026.

The Italian, who is just 20 years and 68 days old, put in a composed performance in what was an otherwise chaotic race in Mexico to smash the previous record set by Sebastian Vettel by three years and 66 days.

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The youngster also became the first F1 champion to hail from Italy since Alberto Ascari in 1953.

Antonelli became emotional while Nessun Dorma from Puccini’s Turandot played over the PA system as he took to the podium.

“It was very emotional for me because it was a song that my grandfather used to listen to always, so it was very special to hear that,” he said.

“I think he would be very proud.

“Oh my God, I’ve cried way too much today, but it’s good. I just got very emotional because of my grandfather, and I was very happy also for him.”

And while Antonelli is no doubt on top of the world, his teammate George Russell is anything but, with Mercedes posting footage of the Brit on the verge of tears while hugging team principal Toto Wolff, who said: “Sorry for the sh*tshow, George.”

Russell had a torrid race and was impacted by an energy deployment issue at the start, which saw him lose ground.

He went on to collide with Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar, resulting in a 10-second penalty. Russell finished in sixth and was described as being “distraught” by Mercedes after the race. The Englishman skipped media duties with Mercedes given a €5000 fine.

The post has divided F1 fans on social media, with some branding it unnecessary.

One said: “This was a completely unnecessary post, and all you’re doing is continuing to show that all Toto cares about his how he’s perceived. George wanted absolutely none of that.”

Another added: “I'm looking at George, who's completely in tears, and in front of whom they're APOLOGIZING AGAIN and fixing nothing, and I have very mixed feelings.”

A third claimed: “Why would you upload a video of the guy crying?”

While a fourth commented: “This is literally a humiliation ritual at this point. Why even post this? Leave him alone, Toto, spotlight hog.”

F1 returns for the Brazilian Grand Prix on November 8.

READ NEXT: Lewis Hamilton threatens Ferrari on radio as Valtteri Bottas horror crash stops Mexico City GP

Formula 1 standings after Mexican GP

1. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) — 380 points

2. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) — 261 points

3. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) — 259 points

4. George Russell (Mercedes) — 250 points

5. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) — 245 points

6. Lando Norris (McLaren) — 221 points

7. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) — 144 points

8. Isack Hadjar (Red Bull) — 107 points

9. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) — 83 points

10. Pierre Gasly (Alpine) — 42 points

11. Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls) — 38 points

12. Franco Colapinto (Alpine) — 27 points

13. Oliver Bearman (Haas) — 23 points

14. Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi) — 14 points

15. Nico Hülkenberg (Audi) — 13 points

16. Esteban Ocon (Haas) — 7 points

17. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) — 7 points

18. Carlos Sainz Jnr (Williams) — 7 points

19. Alexander Albon (Williams) — 5 points

20. Yuki Tsunoda (Racing Bulls) — 1 point

21.Ryo Hirakawa (Haas) — 1 point

22. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) — 0 points

23.Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac) — 0 points

24. Sergio Perez (Cadillac) — 0 points