As the Bahrain Grand Prix unfolded and George Russell raced in second place, messages slowly came through on his radio that different systems were failing. Team principal Toto Wolff put it simply: “The car was wounded.

Lando Norris quipped that it “would have been nice” if George Russell launched an attack on McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri for the lead at the Bahrain Grand Prix. The exchange occurred in the cooldown room ahead of the podium ceremony after Piastri claimed his second victory of the F1 2025 season in Sakhir.

Mercedes enjoyed a strong qualifying session Saturday at the Bahrain Grand Prix, as George Russell finished second and young teammate Kimi Antonelli finished fourth. But neither driver will be starting there.