Toto Wolff sounds the alarm at Mercedes after George Russell FP2 crash

Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff has admitted that the team is facing “serious difficulties” in keeping expenditure within its budget ceiling after George Russell’s heavy FP2 crash at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, which caused extensive damage to the W15 F1 car.

In the mid sector, Russell’s W15 hit the exit ramp on the outside of Turn 8, destabilizing the car and sending it sideways into the barriers. When leaving the battered W15, the 26-year-old driver appeared shaken by the impact. The incident marked Russell’s second serious crash, the last coming during qualifying for the United States Grand Prix when his car spun and crashed in a similar manner.

Wolff reported significant damage to Russell’s car, requiring him to retain the old chassis, including inspecting the gearbox and drive unit for possible damage. The car is extensively renovated prior to the final training and qualifying.

The team boss believed that, with two major crashes in the last ten days, together with Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s high-speed crash during the FP1 session of the Italian Grand Prix, the team is “struggling” to stay within the cost ceiling. Wolff told Sky Sports Germany, as reported by Racingnews365:

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

“The engine has to be removed, the gearbox has to be checked and everything else. Two corners of the car are completely gone. So it is serious damage.”

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

After the serious crash on Friday, Russell was immediately taken to the medical center, where he was cleared of serious injuries that could have prevented his participation in the Mexico City GP. Wolff shed light on the impact of the crash, adding:

“(It was) 35G.

“So that had a very big impact. He was taken to the medical center, but he is doing well.

“But obviously the car is badly damaged… but we have the (spare) parts.”

With five races to go before the 2024 season ends, it remains to be seen what steps the Brackley team will take in the event that either driver suffers another crash, especially given the recent challenges with the W15, which has in particular led to Lewis Hamilton retiring at the same corner as Russell during the USGP, where he stranded his car in the gravel and abruptly ended his race.