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Russell Promoted to Third, Mercedes Seeks Unknown Speed Cause

7/19/2026

40 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

George Russell qualified fourth at the Belgian Grand Prix as Mercedes probes a speed deficit, while Kimi Antonelli took pole.
He reported losing between two-tenths and six-tenths on the straights, up to eight-tenths total, while Toto Wolff said the power unit is not at fault despite 75% of the loss linked to it.
Mercedes now suspects an unidentified issue, while Lando Norris’s penalty moved Russell to third on the grid.

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Story summary

George Russell qualified fourth at the Belgian Grand Prix as Mercedes probes a speed deficit, while Kimi Antonelli took pole.
He reported losing between two-tenths and six-tenths on the straights, up to eight-tenths total, while Toto Wolff said the power unit is not at fault despite 75% of the loss linked to it.
Mercedes now suspects an unidentified issue, while Lando Norris’s penalty moved Russell to third on the grid.