2026 Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team

[leblanc]

its factual and most likely wheel spin % against available traction, which effectively wastes the ES capacity.

The statement is factual, but it also does not state it's wheelspin. While technically possible, it's very unlikely as the aero load remains enormous, even in straight mode. Maybe we'll be proven wrong. Probably not.

[Matt2725]

https://streamable.com/yy85du

Looking at the video, Kimi's speed went up to 318 when he was very close on the slipstream and dropped back to around 310 when he went past.

While Russell's speed went up closer to Les Combes when there was a few cars side by side in front of him, making a big hole in the air for him to attack.

Adding to that the fact that Russell was faster on the run to Eau Rouge than Kimi without a significant tow since Max was absolutely flying, my take is that Russell and Kimi shared roughly the same deployment issue in the start of the lap. Notably, Russell and Kimi pressed what I assume is the boost button (Left thumb on the yellow button) on the exit of La Source and on the beginning of the Kemmel straight but it didn't make that big of a difference compared to Max before Eau Rouge and McLaren/Ferrari on the Kemmel Straight.

I know for a fact that George didn't press the boost button until the top of Raidillon as Marcus his engineer reminded him to press it as he crested the hill. He didn't use it out of La Source AFAIK.

[Farnborough]

its factual and most likely wheel spin % against available traction, which effectively wastes the ES capacity.

The statement is factual, but it also does not state it's wheelspin. While technically possible, it's very unlikely as the aero load remains enormous, even in straight mode. Maybe we'll be proven wrong. Probably not.

Yes, i take your point. I do think though that's it's more plausible than cursory view would permit.

With traction commonly at 5 % slip being quite normal for maximum acceleration, this "error" showing something in the order of 1.3%, I don't feel its in the relms of absolutely not in this case.

IF the difference is true (no ratio difference in play) then that would entail quite significant ES spend at beginning of straight in contrast to availability at the end.

Somewhere on here (I recall) was a quote of AK throttle at corner exit being typically lower than GR for the same.

The quoted comment of SR I've noted above, indicates their approach in discussion of technique with GR as possibility in this area I feel.

[Waz]

So with a tow George is 2kmh slower than Kimi who has no tow?

The relevant bit is the speed into Eau Rouge.

[Waz]

The last race being Brazil, oh how I missed this

Vegas is after Brazil.

Hopes and dreams killed

Liberty would cream themselves if Vegas is the season finale

[Quantum]

So with a tow George is 2kmh slower than Kimi who has no tow?

The relevant bit is the speed into Eau Rouge.

I dont think so. The relevant bit should be from turn one to the Les Combes, freeze framing Eau Rouge wont show that Antonelli gapped Russell by 8 car lengths out of turn one.

[Lasssept]

[venkyhere]

Daily Mail. Can't expect anything of higher standard than such articles.

[basti313]

So much nonsense being pushed here without any data and pure hate for a driver. What a shame for this forum.

Here is more rational explanation of George's issues.

I do not think that is a good comparison. At least not for what happened in the race. And there is no good comparison for Q3. The judge what he did would have needed to check the charging, if they lifted at the same spots before.

Two simple points are not good for the race:
- The clear and visible comparison to Ant and Ver is not made. Rus was not really slower than the Ant and only slower to Ver when the deployment out of T1 was different.
- When Rus tipped the brake pedal, the speed went up. This is mentioned, but not followed up. There was obviously something wrong with the deployment. One would have expected they all discharge what they have on Kemmel, first lap. But only Ferrari did so. Did the boost button not work, or was it not used correctly? It affected all but Ferrari.

[Just_a_fan]

I'm surprised the Daily Mail's headline isn't "Brave Brit put in danger by Italian-loving Germans!". That's about their level.

[WardenOfTheNorth]

I've seen comments regarding both Merc and McLaren cars that talk about the unpredictable "AI" (presumably machine learning) that controls the deployment of the electrical energy.

I am all for these hybrid PU's, though in favour of the rebalanced ratio from next year and they should have retained the MGU-H but anyway. What I do not agree with is the use of "AI" to control deployment. In my opinion the drivers should be in control of when power is deployed, not a computer program. Personally I think that would avoid some of the issues some drivers are having at the moment.

[zibby43]

I've seen comments regarding both Merc and McLaren cars that talk about the unpredictable "AI" (presumably machine learning) that controls the deployment of the electrical energy.

I am all for these hybrid PU's, though in favour of the rebalanced ratio from next year and they should have retained the MGU-H but anyway. What I do not agree with is the use of "AI" to control deployment. In my opinion the drivers should be in control of when power is deployed, not a computer program. Personally I think that would avoid some of the issues some drivers are having at the moment.

Agree with all of this. Driver workload is probably one reason that's not the case. Sheer performance another. Reckon we'd here even more coaching.

[basti313]

I've seen comments regarding both Merc and McLaren cars that talk about the unpredictable "AI" (presumably machine learning) that controls the deployment of the electrical energy.

I am all for these hybrid PU's, though in favour of the rebalanced ratio from next year and they should have retained the MGU-H but anyway. What I do not agree with is the use of "AI" to control deployment. In my opinion the drivers should be in control of when power is deployed, not a computer program. Personally I think that would avoid some of the issues some drivers are having at the moment.

Agree with all of this. Driver workload is probably one reason that's not the case. Sheer performance another. Reckon we'd here even more coaching.

You can argue what is what, but I would definitely call it "machine learning", not "AI".

I fear it is not black and white:
- An automated system is needed. If the driver would be the main adjustment on these super difficult charging strategies, we would see the best video game player win.
- Without any "smart" and self learning system, it would be the same...the system would not adjust to the driver and, thus the driver always needs to drive to the system.
- It might be that this machine learning system is the magic bullet for Merc. At least it is excellent. So complaining about the point that Rus can not use it as good as Ant....is a bit wrong...without the system he might be fighting for P6.

[Lasssept]

The Race

- Mercedes makes software fix after Spa problems

The Mercedes Formula 1 team has made deployment software modifications ahead of this weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix to help address a problem it found deep in the code on George Russell’s car in Belgium.
...
The problem that Russell faced in qualifying was related to an element deep in the code on his power unit that meant his deployment was being front-loaded around the lap.

This meant that, as part of the adjustments that are made by the algorithms to manage energy around the lap, it was more biased to using extra energy on the run to Les Combes.

This, allied to some differences in how he and Antonelli then impacted harvesting and battery usage around the middle sector, meant he was short of power for the run to the final chicane.

Having uncovered the issue in the code that got exposed in Belgium, Mercedes has put countermeasures in place from this weekend to try to make sure that there are no repeat problems.

Deployment should also not be too big a factor in Hungary as it is a much more energy-rich circuit layout.

[Matt2725]

The Race

- Mercedes makes software fix after Spa problems

The Mercedes Formula 1 team has made deployment software modifications ahead of this weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix to help address a problem it found deep in the code on George Russell’s car in Belgium.
...
The problem that Russell faced in qualifying was related to an element deep in the code on his power unit that meant his deployment was being front-loaded around the lap.

This meant that, as part of the adjustments that are made by the algorithms to manage energy around the lap, it was more biased to using extra energy on the run to Les Combes.

This, allied to some differences in how he and Antonelli then impacted harvesting and battery usage around the middle sector, meant he was short of power for the run to the final chicane.

Having uncovered the issue in the code that got exposed in Belgium, Mercedes has put countermeasures in place from this weekend to try to make sure that there are no repeat problems.

Deployment should also not be too big a factor in Hungary as it is a much more energy-rich circuit layout.

Okay so can we can it with the idea that George was the problem?