2026 Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team

[Lasssept]

[Jambier]

https://i.postimg.cc/j5scQ0Wg/HMi-Kvs7WIAAym9P.jpg

Both drivers lost a ton of points with the reliability...

[Matt2725]

The gaps are too far off between the 2 Mercs. There is references to battery issues throughout the weekend for Russell, but this isn't the first time this season that there have been discrepancies. The 2 by 2 nature of the Silverstone track was evident for all team mates having similar values to the other in terms of top speed and speed across the start finish line. The only standout was Russell. A very peculiar situation which is going to be a breeding ground for conspiracy.

11:46 onwards.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6_7kVuIALE&t=897s

A few megaminds on other forums tried to hand wave it away as being different deployment strategies. Because of course, Russell wanted his deployment setup to ensure he had no performance in the two main overtaking points.

Wolff was a bit shameless claiming it was "fine" post-race, but even he must know that isn't the case. Felt a bit like he was taking his upset over Kimi out on the other driver.

[Quantum]

A few megaminds on other forums tried to hand wave it away as being different deployment strategies. Because of course, Russell wanted his deployment setup to ensure he had no performance in the two main overtaking points.

Wolff was a bit shameless claiming it was "fine" post-race, but even he must know that isn't the case. Felt a bit like he was taking his upset over Kimi out on the other driver.

I'm making no assertion, but the cold hard evidence is glaring unfortunately.
The trace shows it's a linear difference on every straight. Absolutley no way you drive around that or excuse it as "deployment strategies".

The other thing that really stands out is Russell mentioned this in Free Practice. The team had time to fix it or ascertain what the problem is. This carried on into Sprint Q, Sprint and Q and then of course into the race.
How can there be a persistent battery issue through the weekend that doesn't get fixed?

The team needs to come out and explain firstly why there was battery problem and then why it couldn't be fixed for the duration of the weekend.

[nitrotech]

A few megaminds on other forums tried to hand wave it away as being different deployment strategies. Because of course, Russell wanted his deployment setup to ensure he had no performance in the two main overtaking points.

Wolff was a bit shameless claiming it was "fine" post-race, but even he must know that isn't the case. Felt a bit like he was taking his upset over Kimi out on the other driver.

I'm making no assertion, but the cold hard evidence is glaring unfortunately.
The trace shows it's a linear difference on every straight. Absolutley no way you drive around that or excuse it as "deployment strategies".

The other thing that really stands out is Russell mentioned this in Free Practice. The team had time to fix it or ascertain what the problem is. This carried on into Sprint Q, Sprint and Q and then of course into the race.
How can there be a persistent battery issue through the weekend that doesn't get fixed?

The team needs to come out and explain firstly why there was battery problem and then why it couldn't be fixed for the duration of the weekend.

The problem of George lacking straight line speed is not just limited to British gp, it was there in almost every race and almost every lap. Just that it was glaringly obvious in British gp. Even in Austria race where he was leading, the gains that Kimi made was always on straights. There again, George was faster through most corners.

Here are some laps from lap 9 to 14 Austria. Kimi was in clear air in these laps.

[Quantum]

Here are some laps from lap 9 to 14 Austria. Kimi was in clear air in these laps.

No dispute with those 5 laps, but sample size needs to be greater.
From Race 1 to Race 9, every lap.

Discrepancies will also arise naturally.
Because Kimi took the new improved battery in Austria, and George took a new battery for Monaco after the Canada failure. If there is such a large difference between the 2 specs then George has to take a new one for Spa.
But there wasn't such a marked difference in Austria....a feature of track differences?

[nitrotech]

Here are some laps from lap 9 to 14 Austria. Kimi was in clear air in these laps.

No dispute with those 5 laps, but sample size needs to be greater.
From Race 1 to Race 9, every lap.

Discrepancies will also arise naturally.
Because Kimi took the new improved battery in Austria, and George took a new battery for Monaco after the Canada failure. If there is such a large difference between the 2 specs then George has to take a new one for Spa.
But there wasn't such a marked difference in Austria....a feature of track differences?

It's actually easy. You can go to F1 insights hub and find the truth for yourself. Its a bit time consuming. I gave a couple of samples from Austria and British GPs. I think I made my point and if time permits, i may do further analysis on other races. Anyone interested in knowing the whole truth, would find it in data and they have to do some work to go do it themselves. Those that are happy consuming Toto's smoke screen would think it's a "talent gap".

[Tonino]

Hopefully the big news today is Max in, George out.

[zibby43]

Not sure Kimi's issue was reliability. I suspect his car was damaged because as he's done all year, he rides his car over the kerbs a lot more aggressively than others. He broke his car riding the car over the larger green and white serrated kerbs beyond the red and white kerb on the outside of Copse.

Good point but I guess I was hoping the team would know this and ensure the car was robust enough to handle it.