Russell on Mercedes straight-line speed issue after Hamilton clash
George Russell says his opening-lap collision with Lewis Hamilton at the Belgian Grand Prix would not have happened without the straight-line speed issue he says has affected his Mercedes. Russell said: "The incident shouldn't have happened if I had the speed down the straight. Very, very disappointed. I appreciate everyone's working hard to solve the problem, but I'm stood here on lap five of the race. I felt like I was in a good position to fight for the lead of the turn one, and then suddenly no power, and it's all gone."
George Russell 'distraught' after disastrous Lewis Hamilton collision
Open original
🗞️ Latest Stories
The serious Mercedes F1 problem 'infuriating' Russell
Norris on McLaren having Belgian Grand Prix podium pace
Lando Norris said McLaren’s pace was “easily good enough” to fight for a Belgian Grand Prix podium after finishing seventh. Norris said: "It should have been a lot better today, honestly. The pace was easily good enough for a potential podium. I mean, we just had a terrible pit stop. We were unlucky with the VSCs as well."
Norris vows his pace ‘was easily good enough' for Spa podium
Open original
Antonelli on turnaround from 2025 Belgian Grand Prix low at Spa
Kimi Antonelli says he “reached rock bottom” at last year’s Belgian Grand Prix and could not have imagined being in his current position 12 months later, after winning at Spa on Sunday for Mercedes to extend his lead in the drivers’ championship. Antonelli said: "No, absolutely not. Last year here, I probably reached the bottom, so it was a very difficult weekend for me mentally. But this year was definitely a lot better. If you had asked me last year at this moment, I probably would have said no."
'I reached rock bottom' - Antonelli admits shock as title charge accelerates
Open original
Wolff on Mercedes power issue behind Russell's Belgian GP exit
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff says George Russell’s lap-one retirement at the Belgian Grand Prix was “100%” Mercedes’ fault after a power issue left him vulnerable before contact with Lewis Hamilton. Toto Wolff said: "It's two situations here. First is the racing, the accident that happened. It was unfortunate for us, we lost a lot of constructors' points and George [lost] drivers' points. And then we had an issue with all Mercedes engines, where we lacked power on the straight. And that bit him badly. It 100% goes on us."
'100% on us' - Mercedes shoulders blame for George Russell's Spa GP heartbreak
Open original
Related stories (3)
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff on George Russell's Belgian GP crash: 'It 100% goes on us'
All Mercedes cars struggled with power issue at Belgian GP start, reveals Toto Wolff
Wolff on Mercedes power deployment problem at the start
"Kimi can buy me dinner." Valtteri Bottas jokes about his part in Antonelli's Belgian GP win
Karun Chandhok urges George Russell to demand Mercedes answers amid "new territory"
Hadjar on Belgian GP charge being his best race
Isack Hadjar said his charge from 21st on the grid to sixth in the Belgian Grand Prix was “probably my best race” for Red Bull. Hadjar said: "Today I think is probably my best race. Race pace-wise. I'm right up there with the leaders, so I'm very glad with my first ten races. To be honest, I'm really looking forward to the race, because there are a lot of things we need to tidy up as a team – in a good way. I think there's a lot more to come."
Rise from 21st to sixth “probably my best race” – Hadjar
Open original
Verstappen on holding his line after battery issue at Spa
Max Verstappen said he held his line on the Kemmel straight because moving could have caused an “aeroplane shunt” after he ran out of battery in the opening stages of the Belgian Grand Prix. Verstappen said: "Yeah well clearly too much deployment from Turn 1 to Turn 2. Then I went through Eau Rouge, I looked at my battery status like 'well that's going to be a difficult run to Les Combes!' I expected, of course, Kimi to come by and then I look in my mirror and I just saw a red rocket coming. I was like 'oh I'll just hold my line because if I move here we're gonna have an aeroplane shunt'!"
Max Verstappen details ‘aeroplane shunt' fears in battery-affected Belgian GP
Open original
Related stories (2)
Verstappen feared ‘airplane shunt' with Leclerc in Belgian GP
Max Verstappen jokes about F1's "jungle" after avoiding an "airplane shunt" at Spa
Lawson on Racing Bulls' lack of pace and PU issues at Spa
Liam Lawson said Racing Bulls were “way too slow” in the Belgian Grand Prix, with energy-saving measures and suspected power unit issues leaving him vulnerable to what he called “accidental” overtakes as he dropped from ninth on the grid to 12th at Spa. Lawson said: "We were way too slow, all race, and it was apparent pretty quickly as well. We had some issues with the PU and trying to optimise it, but with a track like this, you have no idea, there is so much lap-time in where you are using your energy. We were trying to save energy through Eau Rouge down towards Turn 5 - Les Combes -, but we were losing so much time that people were accidentally overtaking me."
Liam Lawson cites Racing Bulls issue after 'accidental overtakes'
Open original
More in the app
Download AppDownload SeedStream for more F1 stories
Get the full feed, faster alerts, and the stories worth following on your phone.