Mercedes Identifies Russell's F1 Power Unit Software Issue
Mercedes said early analysis pointed to driving-style differences after George Russell retired on lap 1 from contact with Lewis Hamilton.
- Mercedes identified a software anomaly embedded in George Russell's power unit code as the primary cause of his recent performance issues, implementing a correction at its Brixworth facility that requires track validation.
- Telemetry comparisons with teammate Kimi Antonelli confirmed Russell's complaints about straight-line performance deficits, revealing the software was deploying electrical energy too early in the lap cycle.
- The team will not confirm the fix's efficacy until the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, as upcoming races at Hungaroring and Zandvoort lack conditions comparable to Silverstone or Spa for proper validation.
- During Sunday's Belgian Grand Prix, Russell retired on the opening lap after contact with Lewis Hamilton; Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur called the subsequent penalty on Hamilton "harsh."
- Despite the Spa DNF dropping Russell 50 points behind Antonelli, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff ruled out team orders, allowing Russell to approach the Hungaroring weekend without constant disadvantage concerns.
23 Articles
23 Articles
Hungarian Grand Prix: George Russell has had to be 'the most resilient I've ever been' to cope with string of problems
George Russell enters this weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix facing a significant points deficit to his Mercedes team-mate Kimi Antonelli following a difficult Belgian race. Russell retired from last weekend’s event after a first-lap collision with Lewis Hamilton, which doubled his gap to Antonelli, who won that race for his sixth victory in 10 grands prix this season. Russell described himself as having to be “the most resilient” he has ever been …
Radio France Internationale
Free Malaysia Today NewsRelieved Russell says Mercedes have solved his power problems mystery
Speaking to reporters ahead of this weekend's Hungarian Grand Prix, Russell said the team had found something that was "embedded in the calibration" of a code in his car's power unit management that had resulted in him losing speed. The problem undermined him at last Sunday's Belgian Grand Prix where he lost power on the opening lap and collided with former team-mate seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton of Ferrari. Antonelli went on to win the r…
Mercedes identifies software fault causing George Russell’s power unit issues
Mercedes engineers have pinpointed a critical software anomaly in George Russell’s Formula 1 power unit after a series of perplexing performance issues dogged the British driver between Silverstone and Spa. The breakthrough comes after intensive analysis at the team’s Brixworth engine facility, but the true test of the fix will only arrive at the upcoming Italian Grand Prix at Monza. Russell’s complaints centered on a persistent lack of straight…
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