Do Antonelli and Leclerc share Russell's claim over inconsistent power unit behaviour?
Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli and Ferrari's Charles Leclerc have backed George Russell's comments about inconsistent power unit behaviour, admitting that the complex 2026 Formula One power units can sometimes produce unexpected deployment characteristics even when the driver changes nothing.
Russell had spoken throughout the Belgian Grand Prix weekend about unexplained losses of electrical deployment at various points around the Spa-Francorchamps circuit. Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff also acknowledged the issue, with the team unable to fully explain the fluctuations through battery management or driver inputs alone.
Asked after the race whether they had experienced similar behaviour, both Antonelli and Leclerc admitted it is a feature of the highly complex 2026 power units.
Antonelli revealed that he had encountered a comparable issue earlier in the season: "Yeah, it can happen," he said. "Being honest, with George this weekend there was a slight loss, and sometimes you just don't understand. I had the same in Australia, for example."
The Italian explained that while driving style can influence energy deployment, the systems themselves are extremely complicated.
"It can be a little bit down to driving, but sometimes the system just does something a little bit different. It's very complicated, and for the team, you have to appreciate the work, because the system is very complicated."
"Of course, they're trying to make things a bit easier, but sometimes it's hard to get it perfect."
Antonelli added that the challenge becomes even greater at circuits such as Spa, where energy management plays a critical role.
"Also, with the driving, sometimes, especially on tracks like this that are very energy-demanding, if you start driving differently, then for the system it's a bit crazy. So, it is tricky."
Despite Russell's difficulties, Antonelli expressed confidence that Mercedes would resolve the problem before next weekend's Hungarian Grand Prix.
"But I have to agree that this weekend, for George, there was a slight issue. I'm sure it will be fixed for Budapest," claimed the championship runaway leader.
Leclerc echoed Antonelli's assessment, although he admitted he was unaware of the exact nature of Russell's problem. The Ferrari driver explained that teams can sometimes struggle to understand why performance changes from one session to another.
"I don't know what George's issue was, obviously, but the only thing I can say is that it happens. These power units are so complex that there are some days when you scratch your head trying to understand why you are losing so much on the straights."
Leclerc revealed Ferrari experienced similar behaviour during Friday practice and final practice at Spa before improving the situation ahead of qualifying.
"That was a bit the case for me on Friday and in FP3. Then, in qualifying, things went well again by slightly fine-tuning things."
The Monegasque admitted the unpredictability can be particularly frustrating from the cockpit.
"It's just very difficult, but also very frustrating sometimes for a driver because, even when you are doing your best, there are things in the background that change constantly, and that's not so nice."
