FIA Clears Russell's Mercedes After Extensive Post-Race Inspection in Austin

George Russell's Mercedes has been given a clean bill of health by Formula 1's governing body following an extensive examination after the United States Grand Prix. The FIA confirmed that the W17, the car numbered 63, was randomly selected from the top ten finishers in Austin for a deeper physical inspection, and that all of the components examined were found to conform to the 2026 technical regulations. The note from FIA technical delegate Jo Bauer specified that the inspection covered the internal combustion engine's air intake cooling system, together with its attached sensors, wiring looms, connections and the standard electronic control unit. Russell had finished eighth in Austin, a disappointing result in a race won by his Mercedes team-mate Kimi Antonelli ahead of Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen. Russell admitted afterwards that he simply lacked pace, telling Sky Sports that he needed to understand why he was so far off the leaders. The clearance removes any doubt over the car's legality heading into this weekend's Mexican Grand Prix. Russell still remains mathematically in the championship fight, but Antonelli's advantage is now commanding: the Italian leads his team-mate by 123 points, so a ninth-place finish in Mexico, worth two points, would be enough to seal the title regardless of where Russell finishes.