APTOPIX Belgium F1 GP Auto Racing

Mercedes driver George Russell of Britain, center, spins on the track during the Formula One Grand Prix at the Spa-Francorchamps racetrack in Spa, Belgium, Sunday, July 19, 2026.

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Mercedes to take action as George Russell fumes at loss of speed before his race-ending crash

Mercedes to take action as George Russell fumes at loss of speed before his race-ending crash

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff said the team needs to work to restore George Russell’s confidence after the British driver blamed a lack of speed for the collision that ended his Belgian Grand Prix and damaged his Formula 1 title chances. Russell was trying to retake fourth place from Lewis Hamilton around the outside when the Ferrari driver clipped his rear wheel and sent him spinning into the gravel trap, putting him out of the race on the first lap. A visibly emotional Russell argued that it wouldn’t have happened if his car hadn’t lost speed on the previous straight, dropping him behind Hamilton.