Mercedes makes software fix after Spa problems - The Race

What the report says

The Race reports that Mercedes has changed its Formula 1 deployment software before the Hungarian Grand Prix after tracing performance issues from the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps. The team found a problem buried in the power-unit code on George Russell’s car that affected how electrical energy was used around the lap, contributing to a straight-line speed deficit compared with team-mate Kimi Antonelli.

According to the report, Russell’s qualifying pace at Spa was hurt because battery deployment was being used too early, particularly on the run toward Les Combes. That left him short of energy later in the lap, including the approach to the final chicane. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff had said after the race that an engine-related issue explained part of Russell’s gap to Antonelli, while driving style also played a role.

The Race says Mercedes has now introduced countermeasures intended to prevent a repeat. The issue may be less significant at the Hungaroring, which is described as a more energy-rich layout than Spa, where long full-throttle sections can expose deployment weaknesses.

Mercedes also reviewed a separate first-lap problem at Spa, when both Russell and Antonelli lacked expected power on the run down the Kemmel Straight. The report attributes that to a software error that reduced energy harvesting into La Source, followed by extra battery use exiting the hairpin. Russell’s situation was worse because taking Eau Rouge flat left him in a restricted deployment state at about 308km/h, while Antonelli’s lift through the section put him in a slightly different mode with more speed available.