The Mercedes F1 team encountered significant difficulties during the Spa race weekend, with George Russell managing to finish fifth, which was the highest position realistically achievable under the circumstances. Meanwhile, Kimi Antonelli struggled, finishing 16th and continuing a drought in scoring points since his podium in Canada.
Russell’s Steady Drive Yields Best Possible Result
During the race, George Russell overtook Alexander Albon early, securing fifth place. After the initial pit stops, he remained close behind the leader, Max Verstappen, but was unable to keep pace with the Red Bull driver. Russell’s race unfolded quietly, without many overtaking opportunities, and he was left to manage a solitary battle for fifth place. Reflecting on the performance, Russell admitted,
“Fifth place was the best we could achieve today. Our pace wasn’t strong compared to our usual rivals, which left us in a lonely race for fifth place. It’s frustrating, but that was the reality of our weekend.”
—George Russell, Mercedes Driver
Antonelli Struggles to Adapt as Track Conditions Shift
Kimi Antonelli faced a tougher challenge, beginning the race from the pit lane and engaging in multiple on-track battles. His decision to use a wet-race setup initially gave him some advantage in the early laps as the track conditions were damp. However, as the track dried, his car setup became a disadvantage, causing him to lose speed on straights and preventing successful overtakes. Antonelli shared,
“We decided to change the car setup for a wet race, which helped in the early laps. Unfortunately, the track dried up quickly, and for the rest of the race, we were losing speed on the straights to some of the cars we were fighting. Despite staying close, we couldn’t overtake.”
—Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes Driver
Team Principal Wolff Addresses Need for Improvement Ahead of Budapest
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff acknowledged the team’s disappointing pace compared to their rivals and stressed the urgency in analyzing their weaknesses. He praised Russell’s ability to extract the maximum from the car and highlighted the weekend as an exercise in damage limitation rather than competitive success. Looking ahead to the Budapest Grand Prix, Wolff emphasized the importance of better preparation and securing a competitive position early in races.
As Mercedes regroups after the difficulties faced at Spa, they face mounting pressure to enhance their performance and regain their foothold as frontrunners in Formula 1. The upcoming races will reveal whether the team can turn their fortunes around and contend once again with their strongest rivals.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is number 13 banned in F1?
A. Yes, 13 is a permitted number. Actually, Pastor Maldonado selected #13 when F1 introduced the permanent number system in 2014. Although some cultures think 13 is unlucky, the decision was left up to the drivers.
Q. Which F1 driver has ADHD?
A. Lewis Hamilton’s experiences with ADHD and dyslexia have impacted both his racing career and personal life. His journey challenges the typical ideas of success in Formula 1 and highlights the importance of acknowledging learning differences.
Q. Is 69 allowed in F1?
A. F1 Driver Number Rules: Every driver can pick a permanent number, ranging from 2 to 99, except 17, for their entire F1 career.