George Russell confident Mercedes have resolved car issue ahead of Hungarian Grand Prix
Sign up now: Get the biggest sports news in your inbox
Mercedes’ George Russell, third in the F1 drivers’ standings and 50 points adrift of championship-leading teammate Kimi Antonelli, ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix.
PHOTO: REUTERS
- George Russell believes Mercedes have fixed the car issue that caused loss of speed and retirement at the Belgian Grand Prix, giving him confidence going forward.
- The problem was due to complex power unit code calibration, which was hard to detect but has now been resolved by the team.
- Russell feels mentally stronger and more resilient, despite frustration, and aims to focus on racing as the championship battle continues with half the season left.
AI generated
BUDAPEST – George Russell believes Mercedes have fixed the issue that was slowing his car and he has come out of the situation mentally stronger.
The Briton raged over the team radio after losing straight-line speed during the opening lap of the Formula One Belgian Grand Prix on July 19 and then retiring in the gravel, following a collision with Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton.
Pre-season favourite Russell is third overall and 50 points adrift of championship-leading teammate Kimi Antonelli after 10 rounds, with the 19-year-old Italian soaring high after six victories.
Speaking to British reporters ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix on July 26, Russell said the situation reminded him of his Formula Two title-winning campaign “where it felt like one thing after another and you bounce back and then you get knocked down again”.
“Three days later I’m feeling good and glad there are some positive answers that have come back from the factory and it’s eyes forward now,” he added.
Asked what the problem was, Russell said the new power units were exceptionally complex and still to be fully understood.
“There was just something deeply embedded in the calibration of the code that... I mean, it was almost impossible to see unless you knew exactly what to look for. So yeah, I’m glad we have found it.
“Of course, it’s a bit frustrating to have what happened on Sunday but I’m just looking forward now.”
He also pointed out that despite his Belgian blank, he was still closer to Antonelli than he had been after Monaco in June when the gap between them had ballooned to 68 points.
With 10 rounds done, there was also still more than half a season to go.
The 28-year-old said the car problems had been a distraction, spending a lot of time trying to change his driving style rather than just focusing on going fast and building momentum.
“I definitely feel this is the most resilient I’ve ever been in my whole life,” he said. “So I take pride in that as my mentality outside of the car.”
He was not the only one proud of himself.
Hamilton felt the same of himself and Ferrari when asked to reflect on the 2025 Hungarian Grand Prix, when he described himself as “useless” and suggested Ferrari should “sign another driver”.
The seven-time world champion admitted he was at rock bottom when he made those comments after qualifying and finishing 12th, while teammate Charles Leclerc took pole and finished fourth.
“I’m proud of everyone in the team and I am proud of myself,” the 41-year-old said. “For digging myself out of that place that I was in.
“One day, when I do my documentary, I will tell you all about that weekend and what led up to it, but to come from there and into this week…
“I arrive now worlds away from where I was last year.”
He is second in the drivers’ championship, 45 points behind Antonelli, after claiming five podiums including his first Ferrari triumph, in Barcelona, this season.
In other news, Max Verstappen swerved around questions on his future and declared he was taking things race by race with Red Bull as they work to develop their car.
“I feel good and from my side what I’m saying – that there’s nothing to say – is because there’s nothing going on,” the Dutchman said.
“For me, I am just focused on trying to get the most from the car and that’s already complicated enough to deal with.” REUTERS, AFP
