Russell 'needed to get out' after Mexico GP

George Russell has said he simply "needed to get out of there" after leaving Mexico early as another frustrating race piled the disappointment on top of watching teammate Kimi Antonelli clinch the world championship.

After congratulating Antonelli, the 28-year-old was excused from post-race media duties in Mexico by Mercedes -- for which they were fined €5,000 -- with boss Toto Wolff saying his driver was "distraught" and suffering a "catastrophic moment."

Russell started second but plummeted to sixth as his car appeared to lose power on the long run down to Turn 1.

It was a race that somewhat encapsulated his issue-hit season, while he has long admitted Antonelli has outperformed him during…