George Russell rues Mercedes engine failures after Hungarian Grand Prix

George Russell says he has never experienced a season with so much misfortune after an engine problem severely compromised his Hungarian Grand Prix.

The Mercedes driver started Sunday’s race in sixth but crept off the line when his car went into anti-stall, dropping him to the back of the grid.

He eventually recovered to finish seventh, but the poor start dealt another significant blow to his Formula 1 championship hopes.

The British driver now trails his team-mate and championship leader Kimi Antonelli by 59 points in the 2026 title race.

‘Past the point of disappointment’

“Obviously the problems are happening, but the whole team feels it as well,” said Russell.

“They’re as p****d off as I am with how it’s unfolded.”

He explained that his engine began revving erratically and uncontrollably while he waited for the lights to go out.

“Add it to the list of things that have happened in the first half of this year and pray things calm down in the second half,” he added.

Both Silver Arrows drivers have suffered unreliability this season, but the 28-year-old feels he has borne the brunt of the issues.

A season plagued by misfortune

Sunday’s anti-stall issue is the latest in a string of frustrating setbacks for the former Williams man.

He previously suffered a battery failure while fighting Antonelli for the lead at the Canadian Grand Prix.

Furthermore, a straight-line speed deficit culminated in a race-ending collision at the Belgian Grand Prix earlier this month.

“I’m sort of past the point of disappointment now, because if I continue to be disappointed with everything that goes on, I’ll just be disappointed every day.”