Mercedes is investigating a "serious issue" causing George Russell's straight-line speed deficit to teammate Kimi Antonelli. After qualifying 0.508s behind Antonelli for the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa, Russell said the team initially suspected driving style but now believes a technical problem exists.
Russell has been losing two to six tenths on straights, with four tenths lost in Q3 alone. The deficit appears primarily on the final straight between Blanchimont and the chicane, where speed traces show Antonelli's car consistently faster. Team boss Toto Wolff admitted they're "unable to explain" the issue, suggesting Antonelli's fresher power unit might be a factor.
The problem emerged at Silverstone and Austria, with Russell trying counter-intuitive driving techniques to manage energy deployment. However, after changing driving style yielded no improvement, both driver and team are focusing on potential mechanical or power unit causes. Russell described feeling "powerless" watching speed drop at full throttle.
Mercedes has "left no stone unturned" investigating brakes, driving style, and power unit differences. With upcoming tracks less energy-sensitive, the team hopes to isolate the cause. Russell remains frustrated by the recurring deficit that undermines his qualifying performance.
Source: Autosport F1 News · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing