Russell laments ‘dangerous’ lack of power before race-ending collision

George Russell says he had no power on the opening lap of the Belgian Grand Prix and was in a “dangerous” position before his collision with Lewis Hamilton.

The Mercedes driver has complained of a straight-line speed deficit all weekend, and was clearly losing out to cars around him on the run to Les Combes on the opening lap. Trying to go round the outside of Hamilton, Russell was tagged into a spin by the Ferrari and retired in the gravel, but focused on the power issue.

“I made a good start, I made a great first corner and I was tucked up right behind Verstappen,” Russell said. “But for whatever reason the battery decided not to recharge at Turn 1. So I went around the first corner, the battery didn't charge and I exited the first corner 35% down.

“And because of that, because it didn't charge I also had a boost problem, the turbo didn't sort itself out so I had no power. I got to the top of Eau Rouge with 0% on the battery.

“Quite frankly it was dangerous, I got swamped by three cars. I shouldn't have been in that position in the first place, that's why I'm most angry. Lewis honestly I think was a racing incident.”

Hamilton was given a five-second time penalty, something Russell said he didn’t necessarily agree with as the collision came after the worrying pace on the straight.

“He didn't do it on purpose, so yeah, he was more to blame than I am, but he didn't do anything reckless; that was one of those things,” Russell said. “I'm just most angry about [the fact] I was in that position in the first place.

“I was in a great position up Turn 1 and I was ready to fight the two guys ahead of me up to Turn 5. Instead I get swamped by three drivers.”

Russell says the lack of speed was due to a new problem compared to the rest of his race weekend.

“No, this time something totally different, but it's everyday … I'm numb to the disappointment now,” he said. “When it happens so often, you just get used to it.”