Russell’s Season of Resilience
George Russell has described this season as requiring the “most resilient I’ve ever been” due to a series of issues impacting his performance. The Mercedes driver is preparing for the Hungarian Grand Prix, facing a points deficit to his teammate, Kimi Antonelli.
Russell’s recent retirement from the Belgian Grand Prix, following a first-lap collision with Lewis Hamilton, further widened the gap to Antonelli. Antonelli secured his sixth victory in 10 grands prix this season by winning the Belgian race.
Russell noted that his mentality outside the car is something he takes pride in, stating, “I still believe in myself and the team, even when everything looks against us.” He mentioned having been in challenging situations multiple times this season, managing to recover and achieve positive results.
Technical Difficulties and Adjustments
The Belgian Grand Prix proved particularly difficult for Russell, as engine-related problems hindered his performance. Mercedes has since identified the cause of Russell’s reduced electrical deployment in the final section of the lap at Spa, which contributed to his qualifying deficit to Antonelli.
During the race, both Russell and Antonelli experienced a shortage of electrical power when accelerating out of the first corner. However, Antonelli was less affected because he lifted into Eau Rouge while being challenged by Max Verstappen’s Red Bull. This action reset his system, allowing for deployment on the subsequent straight.
Russell, in contrast, took Eau Rouge flat, and the lack of deployment left him vulnerable, leading to the collision with Hamilton at the following chicane. Russell explained that the new power units are complex, and the issue was deeply embedded in the calibration and code, making it difficult to detect without knowing precisely what to look for.
The problem with energy management at Spa also diverted Russell’s focus, as he spent time addressing it instead of other aspects of his performance. He had previously made changes to his driving style after Monaco, leading to improvements in Barcelona and Austria, where he secured pole positions and a victory in Austria.
Russell admitted that the power unit issue had consumed too much of his attention, causing him to try and adapt his driving style for the power unit rather than focusing on driving fast. He noted that after Spa, it became clear the problem was not related to his driving style, providing a valuable learning experience.
Looking Ahead to Hungary
The Hungarian Grand Prix circuit is distinct from Spa and Silverstone, and it might be expected to favor Ferrari due to their strong cornering capabilities. However, both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc have downplayed their chances, despite winning two of the last four races.
Hamilton commented that Mercedes remains the team to beat, highlighting their consistent performance across various circuits, including slow-speed tracks like Monaco. He anticipated that Mercedes could be the quickest team in Hungary as well.
McLaren is introducing a significant upgrade for the upcoming weekend, hoping to improve their position. However, Lando Norris expressed caution regarding their prospects, noting that previous upgrades this year have not always met expectations. Russell anticipates a challenging weekend in Hungary, a track where power is less critical. He acknowledged Antonelli’s strong form and expects a competitive race.
Russell mentioned that the problem at Spa was worse than at Silverstone, despite some issues at Silverstone as well. He stated that Spa is the most power-sensitive track this season. He is confident that the power unit issue has been resolved for the race in Hungary.
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Source: bbc.co.uk
