Mercedes

George Russell expressed extreme frustration after an engine issue caused a disastrous start at the Hungarian Grand Prix, dropping him from sixth to last place. He recovered to finish seventh but lost further ground in the championship to Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli, who leads the standings. Russell cited a series of misfortunes this season, including a battery failure in Canada, a penalty in Monaco, and a collision in Belgium. He stated he is 'past the point of disappointment' and hopes for better luck in the second half of the season. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff acknowledged the team's reliability problems.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 28, 05:00 AM UTC

Lando Norris, after winning the 2026 Hungarian Grand Prix, stated that all pressure is on championship leader Kimi Antonelli and did not rule out a title fightback. Norris sits fifth in the Drivers' Championship, 91 points behind Antonelli with 11 rounds remaining. He cited McLaren's improved pace from a major upgrade package and noted that Mercedes has made more mistakes. Norris also defended a pit priority decision over teammate Oscar Piastri, explaining he wanted to undercut to secure the win. McLaren team principal Andrea Stella expects a competitive 'race of upgrades' for the remainder of the season.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 27, 10:50 AM UTC

Lando Norris secured pole position for the 2026 Hungarian Grand Prix at the Hungaroring, edging Lewis Hamilton by 0.012 seconds. However, Hamilton received a three-place grid penalty for impeding Oscar Piastri, dropping him to fifth. Championship leader Kimi Antonelli was also penalized for yellow-flag violations. The reshuffled grid places Charles Leclerc second, Piastri third, and Max Verstappen fourth. Norris’s pole marks McLaren’s first of the season after a major upgrade. The race is set for Sunday, July 26.

18 reports · 6 sources · Updated Jul 27, 08:29 PM UTC

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has criticised 'Teletubbies engineers' after a blue flag system failure at the Hungarian Grand Prix led to confusion among backmarkers. The issue caused a collision between Oscar Piastri and Carlos Sainz, with Piastri calling the incident 'unacceptable'. Sainz received a five-second penalty but blamed the system failure. Piastri later retired due to a gearbox issue while running second. Wolff also condemned backmarker teams for not informing their drivers, impacting the battle for the podium between Kimi Antonelli and Lewis Hamilton.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 26, 05:46 PM UTC

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff expressed frustration during the Hungarian Grand Prix, criticizing race engineers he derisively called 'Teletubbies' for their handling of blue flags. The incident occurred when drivers were being instructed to let faster cars pass, and Wolff believed the communication was inefficient or poorly managed. The rant highlights tensions in Formula 1 over race management and team radio protocols, with Wolff's colorful language drawing attention. The article, published by ESPN, covers the emotional outburst and its context within the race.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 26, 05:44 PM UTC

Lewis Hamilton expressed regret over Ferrari's decision to pit him for a third time during the Hungarian Grand Prix under a Virtual Safety Car, stating it 'opened the door' to a subsequent five-second penalty for pit-lane speeding. Hamilton, who had just inherited second place, lost track position to Max Verstappen and Kimi Antonelli, ultimately finishing fifth after the penalty was applied. The seven-time world champion admitted to making 'lots of mistakes' in recent races, having received penalties in the previous two Grands Prix as well. The result dropped him further behind championship leader Kimi Antonelli, who now holds a 50-point advantage heading into the summer break.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 26, 03:30 PM UTC

George Russell has been forced to change his power unit ahead of the 2026 Hungarian Grand Prix after a crack on his engine caused a water leak during qualifying. Russell qualified seventh but stopped at the end of Q3 due to a loss of water pressure. The change is to the same specification and does not incur a grid penalty, as it is his fourth power unit of the season, within the limit. Mercedes believes the leak occurred after Russell ran over an exit kerb at Turn 4. This is the latest reliability issue for Mercedes, which has impacted both Russell and teammate Kimi Antonelli. Russell is 50 points behind championship leader Antonelli. The team has also fixed a software bug that caused a lack of straight-line speed and a collision with Lewis Hamilton at the previous race in Belgium.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 25, 05:23 PM UTC

The article reports that the Hungarian Grand Prix of Formula 1 is approaching, and Mercedes mechanics are conducting a 'dress rehearsal' for tire changes at the Hungaroring circuit. The team has dominated the World Championship, with Kimi Antonelli leading and George Russell in third place. The practice sessions are set to begin today, July 24, 2026. The focus is on gaining precious seconds during actual pit stops through meticulous preparation.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 23, 11:00 PM UTC

On July 23, 2026, Mercedes-AMG Motorsport unveiled a new Formula 1 Safety Car to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Safety Car program. The vehicle, described as a 'real power machine,' will be driven by legendary Safety Car driver Bernd Mayländer. The announcement emphasizes increased power, speed, and safety features, marking a significant upgrade for the F1 safety fleet. The news was shared via Instagram and reported by Bild Sport, highlighting the ongoing partnership between Mercedes and Formula 1 in providing safety vehicles for the racing series.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 23, 06:29 PM UTC

Mercedes has unveiled a new Formula 1 Safety Car to mark the 30th anniversary of the safety car program. The vehicle, described as a 'real power machine,' will be driven by legendary safety car driver Bernd Mayländer. The announcement was made via Mercedes-AMG Motorsport's Instagram on July 23, 2026. The new car promises more power, more speed, and enhanced safety features, continuing Mercedes' long-standing role as the official F1 safety car provider. The article, published by Bild Sport, highlights the excitement around the upgraded vehicle for the upcoming Formula 1 season.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 23, 06:29 PM UTC

Formula 1 championship leader Kimi Antonelli will be one of five drivers sitting out first practice for the Hungarian Grand Prix on Friday, as teams fulfill rookie participation requirements. Antonelli, who leads Lewis Hamilton by 45 points and George Russell by 50 points, will be replaced by Mercedes reserve driver Frederik Vesti. Other rookies taking part include Leonardo Fornaroli (McLaren, replacing Oscar Piastri), Paul Aron (Alpine, replacing Franco Colapinto), Ryo Hirakawa (Haas, replacing Oliver Bearman), and Colton Herta (Cadillac, replacing Valtteri Bottas). Fornaroli, the reigning F2 champion, has been linked to a Haas seat for 2027. The session takes place at the Hungaroring on Friday July 24 at 12:30pm local time.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 22, 03:25 PM UTC

A major controversy is brewing ahead of the 2026 Formula 1 season, with Ferrari, Honda, and Audi demanding that the FIA ban or alter Mercedes' new engine design. The dispute centers on Mercedes allegedly exploiting a loophole in the new technical regulations, which cap engine compression ratios at 16:1. Rivals claim Mercedes' design uses thermal expansion to achieve a non-compliant ratio of around 18:1 at operating temperature, providing an unfair performance and fuel consumption advantage. Mercedes, supported by customer teams McLaren, Williams, and Alpine, insists the engine is legal and was initially approved by the FIA. The FIA faces a dilemma: ban the engine and force four teams to redesign weeks before pre-season testing, or allow it and risk an unlevel playing field. A crucial meeting with all engine manufacturers was scheduled for January 22, 2026. The article also lists pre-season testing dates in Barcelona and Bahrain.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 22, 07:08 AM UTC

The 2026 Formula 1 Hungarian Grand Prix, the 11th round of the season, takes place at the Hungaroring from July 24-26. The article details the full weekend schedule, including FP1, FP2, FP3, qualifying, and the 70-lap race on Sunday at 3 p.m. local time. It also provides global TV broadcast start times for multiple time zones. The report updates the championship standings: Andrea Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) leads with a 45-point advantage after winning the Belgian Grand Prix, followed by Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) and George Russell (Mercedes). Circuit stats include a length of 4.381 km, 14 turns, and Lewis Hamilton holding records for most wins (8) and pole positions (9) at the track. The 2025 winner was Lando Norris (McLaren).

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 22, 02:44 AM UTC

Red Bull has appointed Gwen Lagrue, a highly regarded talent scout from Mercedes, to lead its junior program, succeeding the long-serving Helmut Marko. Lagrue, known as a 'diamond eye' for discovering drivers like Kimi Antonelli and George Russell, will be tasked with finding the next Max Verstappen. Interestingly, Lagrue nearly signed Verstappen himself while at Lotus but lost out to Red Bull. He has worked for Mercedes since 2016, restructuring their junior department. The move was orchestrated by Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies, a fellow Frenchman. Lagrue is expected to start in 2027, with Mercedes likely requiring a period of gardening leave before he can begin his new role.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 21, 12:01 PM UTC

Lewis Hamilton has acknowledged he needs to improve his performance ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix, following a crash during final practice at the Belgian GP that compromised his weekend. The Ferrari driver finished fourth at Spa-Francorchamps, behind teammate Charles Leclerc, who finished just two seconds behind race winner Kimi Antonelli. Hamilton admitted he 'can't afford' weekends like that and plans to increase his focus. Ferrari is expected to perform strongly at the Hungaroring, a circuit that suits their car's cornering strengths. Hamilton, a record eight-time winner in Hungary, is currently 45 points behind championship leader Antonelli in the Drivers' Championship standings.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 21, 12:00 PM UTC

Andrea Kimi Antonelli extended his Formula 1 championship lead to 45 points by winning the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps, his sixth victory of the 2026 season. After building a 66-point lead in Monaco, Antonelli saw his advantage slashed to 25 points following a series of misfortunes, including a late retirement in Barcelona and a point-less finish at Silverstone. He bounced back at Spa, converting pole position into a win. Charles Leclerc finished second for Ferrari, and Max Verstappen took third for Red Bull. Title rival George Russell retired on the opening lap after contact with Lewis Hamilton, dropping to third in the standings. Hamilton finished fourth but received a penalty for causing the collision. In the constructors' championship, Mercedes leads Ferrari by 73 points. Cadillac remains the only team without points after 10 rounds.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 20, 08:14 PM UTC

This article from Sky Sports provides a comprehensive breakdown of the 2026 Formula 1 team-mate head-to-head statistics following the Belgian Grand Prix. It covers all 11 teams, detailing qualifying, sprint, and grand prix scores between each pair of drivers. Key highlights include Kimi Antonelli leading George Russell at Mercedes with 204 points to 154, Lewis Hamilton outperforming Charles Leclerc at Ferrari (159-126 points), and Max Verstappen dominating Isack Hadjar at Red Bull in both qualifying and race counts. Other notable matchups include Lando Norris leading Oscar Piastri at McLaren in qualifying but trailing in race wins, and Oliver Bearman significantly outperforming Esteban Ocon at Haas. The data reflects the competitive dynamics within each team as the season progresses.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 20, 04:30 PM UTC

Martin Brundle analyzes the 2026 Belgian Grand Prix, highlighting Kimi Antonelli's dominant victory and ongoing issues for George Russell, including a clash with Lewis Hamilton and battery power problems. Brundle criticizes the current F1 power unit regulations that have dulled high-speed corners at Spa and Silverstone, calling for a major philosophy change. He notes the race was held in sunny conditions with a safety car deployment, and praises the circuit improvements but laments the loss of driver-defining corners due to hybrid battery charging requirements. The article also previews the upcoming Hungarian GP.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 20, 04:10 PM UTC

A detailed analysis of the declining role of German automobiles in trade with China. In 2024, cars were Germany's top export to China, valued at 20.3 billion euros. By the first five months of 2026, they had fallen to third place behind machinery and data processing equipment. German exports to China dropped 14.5% year-on-year to 29.6 billion euros, while imports from China rose 6.2% to 72.4 billion euros. The article attributes this shift to German automakers' delayed transition to electric vehicles. Volkswagen, BMW, and Mercedes are all experiencing sales declines in China. VW sold only 2.69 million vehicles in China in 2025, down from 9.4 million globally in 2023 when one in three sales was in China. Additionally, 23.5% of imported electric cars now come from China, signaling a competitive threat to German manufacturers.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 20, 01:49 PM UTC

At the Belgian Grand Prix on July 20, 2026, Mercedes driver George Russell spun and retired on the opening lap after contact with Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton. The incident has sparked debate over whether Hamilton's subsequent penalty was justified. The article, published by Sky Sports, examines the collision from new angles and questions the fairness of the penalty imposed on Hamilton, who now drives for Ferrari. The crash ended Russell's race early, adding tension to the rivalry between the former Mercedes teammates.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 20, 11:07 AM UTC

Formula 1 heads to the Hungaroring for the 2026 Hungarian Grand Prix, the final race before the summer break. The event, broadcast live on Sky Sports, takes place from July 24-26. Kimi Antonelli leads the Drivers' Championship after his victory in Belgium, holding a 45-point lead over Lewis Hamilton. The tight, twisty Hungaroring circuit is expected to suit Ferrari, with Hamilton and Charles Leclerc potential contenders. McLaren, winners of the past two years, bring a major upgrade package. The article provides the full UK TV schedule, including practice, qualifying, and the race on Sunday at 2pm BST. Dry and warm weather is forecast for the weekend. The piece also highlights key historical moments at the track, such as Michael Schumacher's 1998 win and Esteban Ocon's 2021 victory.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 20, 05:00 AM UTC

Kimi Antonelli, 19, won the Belgian Grand Prix for Mercedes, extending his Formula 1 championship lead to 45 points over Lewis Hamilton after 10 of 22 rounds. The Italian driver admitted he could not have imagined this dominant position a year ago when he reached 'rock bottom' during his rookie 2025 campaign, which included a dismal run of poor results. Despite recent bad luck—an engine failure in Barcelona and a wheel-guard failure at Silverstone—Antonelli's pace over teammate George Russell has made him the clear title favorite. Mercedes boss Toto Wolff expressed surprise at Antonelli's remarkable consistency in 2026, while Antonelli himself remains cautious, refusing to relax given how quickly the situation can change.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 19, 06:00 PM UTC

George Russell expressed frustration after a first-lap collision with teammate Lewis Hamilton at the Belgian Grand Prix, which forced Russell to retire from the race. The incident occurred on the opening lap, ending Russell's race prematurely. Russell stated, 'It shouldn't have happened,' reflecting his disappointment. The article, published by Record Portugal on July 19, 2026, includes multiple images of the crash and Russell leaving his car. The collision between the two Mercedes drivers highlights intra-team tensions and the high-stakes nature of Formula 1 racing.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 19, 03:55 PM UTC

George Russell says a power issue with his Mercedes left him vulnerable to a first-lap collision with Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton at the Belgian Grand Prix, resulting in Russell's retirement from the race. Russell started third but lost positions on the Kemmel Straight before attempting to reclaim third from Hamilton. The contact spun Russell into the gravel. Hamilton received a five-second penalty for causing the collision, but Russell expressed more frustration with his car's lack of power than with his former teammate. The incident dealt a major blow to Russell's title hopes, dropping him 50 points behind championship leader and Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli, who won the race. Russell had previously complained about power issues in qualifying and remains puzzled by his pace deficit to Antonelli.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 19, 03:00 PM UTC

Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli, 19, claimed pole position for the 2026 Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps, beating Max Verstappen by 0.317 seconds. Lando Norris qualified third but dropped to 13th due to a ten-place grid penalty for exceeding control electronics limits, promoting George Russell to third. Multiple drivers, including Carlos Sainz and Lance Stroll, also received penalties, reshuffling the grid. Antonelli dedicated the pole to his father. The race is scheduled for Sunday.

10 reports · 6 sources · Updated Jul 19, 02:52 PM UTC

A major controversy is brewing ahead of the 2026 Formula 1 season, with Ferrari, Honda, and Audi demanding that the FIA ban or alter Mercedes' new engine design. The dispute centers on Mercedes allegedly exploiting a loophole in the new technical regulations that cap engine compression ratios at 16:1. While Mercedes' engine complies when measured at ambient temperature, rivals claim it uses thermal expansion to achieve a non-compliant ratio of around 18:1 during races, providing an unfair performance and fuel consumption advantage. Mercedes, supported by customer teams McLaren, Williams, and Alpine, insists the design is legal and was initially approved by the FIA. A crucial meeting with all engine manufacturers is scheduled for January 22, 2026. The FIA faces a dilemma: ban the engine and force a redesign weeks before pre-season testing, or allow it and risk protests. A potential compromise would permit the engine temporarily if brought into full compliance by 2027.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 19, 01:19 PM UTC

In an interview with BILD Sport, Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies reflects on his first year in charge, the team's rollercoaster 2025 season where Max Verstappen missed the title by two points, and the challenges of the 2026 regulation changes. Mekies confirms Verstappen has an exit clause in his contract but expresses confidence in the driver's commitment, citing regular talks and Verstappen's active involvement in the project. He notes that Red Bull's new self-built engine is competitive, while the chassis has improved from over a second behind Mercedes to 0.3 seconds. Mekies acknowledges Verstappen's public criticisms but views them as emotional passion. The team aims to start a new winning cycle, though no timeline is set.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 19, 09:40 AM UTC

George Russell has reversed his earlier claim that his driving style was the reason for his pace deficit to Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli. Speaking after qualifying for the 2026 Belgian Grand Prix, where Antonelli took pole and Russell finished 0.5 seconds behind, Russell stated that the team has ruled out driving style as the cause after extensive changes. He described the situation as 'battling with one hand behind your back' and noted that the gap has been present since Austria, with losses of up to seven-tenths in practice. Russell qualified fourth but will start third due to a penalty for Lando Norris. Sky Sports F1 analyst Karun Chandhok expressed confusion over the contradiction with earlier team statements. Russell trails Antonelli by 25 points in the championship.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 18, 05:00 PM UTC

Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli, who secured his sixth pole position of the 2026 F1 season at the Belgian Grand Prix, acknowledges that starting alongside Max Verstappen on the front row at Spa-Francorchamps will be challenging. The track's unique layout, with a short run to La Source and a long uphill section through Eau Rouge and Raidillon to Les Combes, often makes the polesitter vulnerable to slipstream overtakes. None of the last four polesitters have won the race. Despite a recent dip in form due to reliability issues, Antonelli remains optimistic about his pace and tire degradation management. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff noted the difficulty of leading through Eau Rouge, while Antonelli emphasized the importance of a good start to maintain position into Turn Five.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 18, 04:45 PM UTC

Lewis Hamilton crashed his Ferrari at Turn 13 during the final practice session for the Belgian Grand Prix, damaging the right rear of his SF-26 and forcing him to stop on track. His crew now faces a race against time to repair the car before qualifying at 3pm. The session was topped by Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli, who set the fastest time for the second consecutive session, leading Lando Norris and Max Verstappen by 0.1 seconds. Hamilton, who was fifth fastest, apologized to his engineer over team radio. Antonelli, whose title lead has been cut to 25 points, is the clear favorite for pole position. The incident mirrors Pierre Gasly's crash at the same corner on Friday.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 18, 11:35 AM UTC