Electric Cars

Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula 1 Team has identified specific areas for improvement concerning George Russell's recent performance during the Belgian Grand Prix practice sessions. After a subdued start to the weekend, the team is actively working to optimize his car's setup and address the challenges encountered.

During the second practice session at Spa-Francorchamps, Kimi Antonelli, Russell's teammate, showcased strong pace, recording a lap time of 1m45.944s. In contrast, Russell concluded the day in eighth position, more than 1.2 seconds behind Antonelli, with a time of 1m47.229s. This performance comes at a crucial time, as Russell has been closing the points gap to Antonelli in the championship standings. However, Friday's results highlight the need for Russell to elevate his performance to maintain his title aspirations.

Analysis of onboard footage and GPS data revealed several issues contributing to Russell's slower lap times. He experienced a compromised entry and exit through Les Combes, where he lifted off the throttle earlier than Antonelli, indicating a potential misjudgment of available grip. Furthermore, between Pouhon and the Fagnes S section, Russell's car appeared to deplete its energy earlier, resulting in a lower top speed compared to his teammate on the Blanchimont to Bus Stop chicane straight. Andrew Shovlin, Mercedes' trackside engineering director, elaborated that Russell's tires were not adequately prepared at the beginning of his flying laps, and he likely underestimated the grip in certain corners, particularly after a difficult first practice session where the team initially chose an incorrect setup direction.

Shovlin commented on Russell's performance, stating that while it wasn't an ideal lap, it was just one attempt, and issues can be magnified. He confirmed that the team has pinpointed the data discrepancies and is confident that Russell will return stronger in subsequent sessions. An additional factor contributing to Russell's struggles in FP1 was a problem with one of the homologated fuel flow meters, which reduced his power output compared to Antonelli. This issue has since been resolved. Both drivers, including Antonelli, felt there was room for improvement in their laps, suggesting that the competition remains tight, especially in race simulations.

The impact of the 2026 power unit regulations further accentuates the importance of optimal corner speed and energy management, especially on circuits like Spa-Francorchamps, which are known for their high average speeds. Shovlin explained that any compromise in cornering speed has a cascading effect on power deployment down the following straights. This phenomenon is particularly critical on energy-demanding tracks such as Spa and Silverstone, where minor differences can be significantly magnified, influencing overall lap times and race performance.

Mercedes' engineers are dedicated to fine-tuning the car for George Russell, addressing the identified setup and driving technique issues. The team is optimistic that with these adjustments, Russell will be able to demonstrate his full potential and compete more effectively in the remainder of the Belgian Grand Prix weekend, ensuring both drivers are performing at their peak on this challenging circuit.

Racing Bulls implemented an unusual strategy to allocate a critical car upgrade for the Belgian Grand Prix. With only one roll hoop enhancement available, the team decided to transform the decision-making process into a direct competition between its two drivers, Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad. This method aimed to leverage their competitive drive, ensuring the upgrade went to the driver demonstrating superior performance in the preceding Silverstone qualifying session. The initiative reflects Racing Bulls' inventive approach to managing limited resources while fostering a healthy rivalry within the team, particularly as both drivers have shown strong recent performances.

The decision to hold a "mini-competition" was made by team principal Alan Permane after the Canadian Grand Prix. Permane met with both Lawson and Lindblad to explain the situation: a new, narrower roll hoop design, requiring a chassis modification, could only be prepared for one car in time for Spa-Francorchamps, with the second available for the Hungarian Grand Prix. He initially proposed delaying the upgrade for both cars until Budapest to maintain fairness, but the drivers, eager for any performance advantage, quickly dismissed this idea.

Instead, Permane suggested a direct contest based on their qualifying results at Silverstone. Both drivers, known for their competitive nature and recent consecutive points finishes, readily agreed to the challenge. At Silverstone, both Lawson and Lindblad advanced to Q3. Ultimately, Lindblad secured the ninth qualifying position, narrowly outperforming Lawson, who finished tenth. This result meant Lindblad earned the right to use the advanced cooling upgrade at the Belgian GP.

Permane confirmed that in the event of a similar scenario arising later in the season, the upgrade would automatically be given to Lawson to ensure an equitable distribution over time. This approach, he noted, was designed to inject an element of fun into an otherwise straightforward logistical problem. Racing Bulls has seen significant performance improvements, particularly since introducing a new floor design at the Montreal race, which Permane described as a turning point for the car's capabilities. The team had started the current season with some challenges due to their focus on securing sixth place in the constructors' championship the previous year, but continuous upgrades have significantly boosted their standing within the Formula 1 midfield.

In summary, Racing Bulls opted for a driver-centric method to distribute a crucial car upgrade, fostering competition and ensuring a fair process for Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad. This innovative strategy not only addressed a logistical constraint but also underscored the team's adaptive engineering and its commitment to nurturing a high-performance environment for its athletes.