Vowles on Williams copying Mercedes power unit operation
Williams team principal James Vowles says the team is trying to replicate what he believes is a Mercedes power unit operating trick that helps the works squad deploy energy more effectively. Vowles said: "So what they're doing, effectively, is tricking the system into allowing it to use energy in a more efficient location, and the compromise is lifting. That's our best read of it. Whilst we're a Mercedes customer, that doesn't mean we have what they have available to them. So we're doing our best in the background to work towards a similar way of operating the power unit."
Williams chasing copy of Mercedes PU trick
Open original
🗞️ Latest Stories
Verstappen on 2026 F1 cars' low power at Spa
Max Verstappen says the 2026 Formula 1 cars are running at power levels comparable to Formula 3 for much of sector two at Spa. Verstappen said: "For most of sector two, you run just on the engine. So, what is that? 450bhp, 500bhp? Something like that, which is, I guess, less or more or less what a Formula 3 car has but with F1 downforce. So, you can imagine, of course, that that is not very exciting to drive."
F1 drivers left with 'F3 power' at Spa - Verstappen
Open original
Related stories (1)
"F3 car with F1 downforce" — Why Max Verstappen and McLaren say Spa is so different in 2026
Antonelli on Mercedes' Belgian GP package after Spa pole
Kimi Antonelli said Mercedes’ “little package” for the Belgian Grand Prix helped the W17 on the straights after he took pole position at Spa-Francorchamps. Antonelli said: "Well, we brought a little package that helped us a little bit, even more on the straights. But Sector 2, the car still felt good and especially in Q3, we did minor changes on settings and it helped me to gain confidence to push even more. So yeah, it was good that we were stronger in all the sectors."
Kimi Antonelli: ‘Little package' from Mercedes aided Spa F1 pole
Open original
Related stories (1)
Antonelli revels in hard-fought pole position for Belgian GP
F1 - 2026 Belgian Grand Prix Post-Qualifying Press Conference Transcript
Winners and losers from F1 qualifying at Belgian GP
Russell on Mercedes straight-line speed issue
George Russell said Mercedes is dealing with a “serious issue” that is costing him straight-line speed, after the problem affected his lap times for a second consecutive race weekend in Belgian Grand Prix qualifying. Russell said: "We saw this from Silverstone. We thought we found the problem. We thought it was simply the brakes. It wasn't the brakes. Then, we thought it was my driving style with the throttle and I convinced myself that it was something in me with the driving style. Now we're very confident it's not the driving style and that there's a serious issue at play here. The team are working so hard to resolve it."
Mercedes chasing ‘serious' George Russell ‘issue’ after Belgian GP qualifying
Open original
Related stories (2)
George Russell facing 'serious issue' as puzzling Mercedes problem worsens
Russell on Mercedes straightline speed issue at Spa
Hamilton on rear suspension change after late practice crash
Lewis Hamilton said his Ferrari did not feel the same in qualifying after his late crash in final practice, suggesting something had changed on the rear suspension as the team rushed to repair the car in time for the session. Hamilton said: "Something wasn't the same on the rear suspension, so the balance wasn't the same basically as the FP3, when the car was feeling really great. They pushed right until the last minute to get the thing fixed, I'm grateful they did. I hope the balance is still okay in the race."
Lewis Hamilton confirms additional consequence of FP3 smash
Open original
Related stories (1)
Hamilton claims Ferrari was ‘missing a couple of tenths' after crash
Norris on Belgian GP grid penalty after strong qualifying
Lando Norris said it was "unfortunate" to lose a top-three starting position for the Belgian Grand Prix after taking engine components outside the season allowance, which leaves him with a 10-place grid penalty and 13th on the grid. Norris said: "It's nice to be standing here, just not nice knowing we have to go 10 places back tomorrow. Unfortunate that this isn't where we're starting tomorrow, because it would be nice to have a little fight with these guys. But we made the most of it, it was still a very good qualifying, a very good lap for me."
Lando Norris shares 'unfortunate' emotion despite qualifying result boost
Open original
Antonelli on importance of Belgian GP start from pole
Kimi Antonelli says getting a good start in the Belgian Grand Prix will be crucial with Max Verstappen alongside him on the front row after the Italian took pole at Spa-Francorchamps. Antonelli said: "It's great to be on pole. It was not a very straightforward session, the track changed a lot. But we were able to improve lap by lap and to bring home pole, which was nice. But tomorrow is another day and obviously I have Max starting next to me so it's going to be important to get a good start and then be ahead into Turn Five."
Kimi Antonelli on Max Verstappen alert after stunning Belgian GP pole display
Open original
Verstappen on Hadjar's Q3 tow in Belgian GP qualifying
Max Verstappen said Red Bull team-mate Isack Hadjar’s tow in Q3 was key to him qualifying second for the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps, with Hadjar set to take a grid penalty. Verstappen said: "It was definitely helping me. Otherwise, I would not be standing here, like P6 or something. Isack today, knowing he had to start at the back of the grid, he did a really good job giving me a tow in the final sector, and that's why we are standing right here."
Max Verstappen praises Isack Hadjar following crucial qualifying help
Open original
Related stories (2)
Max Verstappen: I wouldn't be on Belgian GP front row without Isack Hadjar's help
Verstappen credits Hadjar's slipstream strategy for front row start
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.