Mercedes team director Toto Wolff admitted the team had “serious difficulties” in keeping spending within the budget cap following George RussellThe heavy FP2 crash at Autodromo Hermanos Rodríguez, which caused significant damage to the W15 F1 car.

In the intermediate sector, Russell’s W15 hit the exit curb on the outside of Turn 8, destabilizing the car and sending it sideways into the barriers. Coming out of the dented W15, the 26-year-old driver seemed shaken by the shock. The incident marked Russell’s second serious accident, the last occurring 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, gearbox and powertrain also requiring inspection for possible damage. The car faces an extensive rebuild ahead of final practice and qualifying.

The team boss felt that with two major crashes in the last 10 days, as well as Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s high-speed crash during the FP1 session of the Italian Grand Prix, the team “has struggling” to meet the cost ceiling. Speaking to Sky Sports Germany, as reported by Racingnews365Wolff said:

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

“The engine has to come out, the gearbox has to be checked and then everything else. Two corners of the car are completely gone. So it’s serious damage.”

“We have serious problems. We are all struggling to meet the budget cap and of course we had a serious accident with Kimi (Antonelli) at Monza. Then the second one with George last week (in Austin) and now again this week.”

After Friday’s serious crash, Russell was immediately taken to the medical center where he was cleared of any serious injuries that could have prevented his participation in the Mexico GP. Shedding light on the impact of the accident, Wolff added:

“(It was) 35G.

“So it had a very big impact. He was taken to the medical center, but he’s fine.

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

With five races remaining before the end of the 2024 season, it remains to be seen what steps the Brackley team would take in the event one of the two drivers suffer another crash, especially considering the recent challenges with the W15 , which notably led Lewis Hamilton to spin at the same corner as Russell during the USGP where he stranded his car in the gravel, abruptly ending his race.