Toto Wolff admits Mercedes has 'serious problems' with Formula 1 cost cap after George Russell crash

Toto Wolff has expressed concerns about a possible breach of the budget limit by Mercedes after George Russell crashed during practice on Friday.

Russel spun off the track and collided with the barriers during the weekend’s second practice session Grand Prix of Mexico City.

Russell crashed into the barriers during training in MexicoCredit: Getty

The Briton walked away unscathed, but crashed for the second time in a week after doing so during qualifying for the United States Grand Prix.

Mercedes have therefore had to spend money to repair the damage and such expenditure counts Formula 1s budget limit.

The rule, introduced in 2021, limits team spending to keep costs down and ensure a level playing field, with the fee for this season set at $135m (£104m).

However, Wolff has expressed concerns about whether or not Mercedes will be able to stay within the regulations following Russell’s incident.

“That really had a big impact. He was taken to the medical center, but he is doing well,” he said afterwards The mirror.

“But of course the car is badly damaged. We have the parts, 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.”

Regarding their rising costs, the team boss said: “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 (in September).

“Then the second one with George last week and again now.”

Russell was able to walk away without injuryCredit: Getty

Wolff thinks Mercedes could get into trouble for exceeding the budget ceilingCredit: Getty

Only Red Bull has broken the spending rule since the business was brought in, doing so in its first year, with a $7m (£5.4m) fine.

Whether Mercedes actually goes over the limit remains to be seen, but they will first hope for a strong qualifying session in Mexico.

Russell was fastest in the first practice session before crashing out in the second, which saw his teammate Lewis Hamilton seventh overall.

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Red Bull’s Max Verstappen remains leading in the drivers’ standings ahead of Sunday’s race at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.

However, the three-time world champion is only 57 points ahead of McLaren’s Lando Norris, with five Grands Prix to go after this weekend.