Wolff on Russell's unexplained straight-line speed deficit
Toto Wolff says George Russell's qualifying deficit to Mercedes team-mate Kimi Antonelli for the Belgian Grand Prix was partly down to an unexplained lack of straight-line speed and was “probably not his fault”. Wolff said: "George is obviously suffering from a lack of straight-line speed we are unable to explain – a couple of tenths. So overall, he's recovered well but at the moment he doesn't gel with the car. He hasn't for the last two weekends and that's probably not his fault, we just need to bring it together."
Wolff gives reason for Russell's Belgian GP deficit
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Hadjar gave Verstappen Q3 tow at Spa
Red Bull used Isack Hadjar to give Max Verstappen a tow in Q3 at Spa after Hadjar was set to start from the back due to multiple power unit component changes, and both drivers said the plan helped. Verstappen, who qualified second, said: “It was definitely helping me otherwise I would not be standing here,” adding Hadjar “did a really good job giving me a tow in the final sector”. Hadjar, who did not set a Q3 lap because he was assisting, said it was “definitely the right thing to do”.
Red Bull drivers reflect on tow strategy in Qualifying
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Ferrari pair target Belgian GP podium
Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton say Ferrari can fight for a podium at the Belgian Grand Prix, with the pair set to start fourth and fifth. Leclerc lost time lifting for a late yellow flag and admitted it will be “tricky”, adding: “We know what we have a slight disadvantage on a track like this… and hopefully a podium is possible.” Hamilton qualified behind him after his mechanics repaired significant FP3 crash damage, saying: “Still optimistic for tomorrow… to try and see if we can get on the podium.”
Ferrari drivers share Belgian Grand Prix targets
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Sainz on reviewing F1 regulations over qualifying lap concerns
Carlos Sainz says Formula 1 should review its new regulations because qualifying laps under the current rules are “not good enough”. Sainz said: "We all know it's not good enough. It needs to change. It will change. It will evolve... Whoever saw these simulations in 2022-2023 and looked at it and 'how can we even accept that?' He needs to review what happened there because it should have never happened."
Carlos Sainz urges review on F1 regs with scathing ‘not good enough' verdict
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Ocon on Haas straight-line speed deficit in Belgium
Esteban Ocon said only team-mate Oliver Bearman’s Haas is “working as it should” after he was knocked out in Q1 at the Belgian Grand Prix, pointing to a straight-line speed deficit and rear instability on his VF-26. Ocon said: "We're losing more than five tenths on the straights, so inevitably, with this issue we haven't been able to sort out since the start of the weekend, it's tricky. I'm losing those 3–4 km/h compared to where we should be… Only Ollie's car works as it should, so that's just how it is."
‘Only Oliver Bearman's car works as it should’ - Esteban Ocon explains another Q1 knockout
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Norris on Spa qualifying lap before 10-place grid penalty
Lando Norris said his Belgian Grand Prix qualifying run at Spa-Francorchamps was “one of the best laps I’ve ever done”, but he will start 13th after a 10-place grid penalty for taking a new power electronics unit. Norris said: "Very good actually – pretty surprised to be P3. My lap was a pretty mega lap. It was probably one of the best laps I've ever done in Qualifying so I'm pretty happy with today. It's just a shame I start P13 tomorrow. P3 was certainly the best we could achieve."
Why Norris thinks Spa Qualifying was one of his ‘best laps'
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Norris happy with “one of the best laps I've ever done” despite grid drop
Piastri on difficult McLaren in Belgian GP qualifying
Oscar Piastri says his Belgian Grand Prix qualifying struggles were down to a “very difficult” McLaren to drive rather than the track time he lost on Friday because of a hydraulic leak. Piastri said: "It's never ideal. I still got a reasonable amount of qualifying laps or low fuel laps yesterday. Would I have liked a couple more? Yes - but I think the struggles I've had today have not been related to that. It's just been a very difficult car to drive, and very, very tough. If you can balance it on the edge, then the lap time seems to be there. But balancing it on the edge is pretty tough."
Oscar Piastri details impact of surprise Spa setback after qualifying struggle
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Tech: Mercedes clever qualifying loophole explained in major qualifying boost
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