George Russell's qualifying ends early due to water leak in Hungary
Autosport • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 25, 2026, 4:04 PM
Last updated Jul 25, 2026
George Russell was forced to stop his Mercedes W17 during Q3 of the 2026 Hungarian Grand Prix qualifying on July 25. Initially thought to be a fuel miscalculation, Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff clarified that a water leak caused the stoppage after Russell struck a kerb. Despite not competing for a front-row grid position, Russell expressed confidence in Mercedes' potential for the race due to good tire management. The team aims to repair the water system overnight to avoid grid penalties before the race weekend progresses.
- •Russell's qualifying session halted in Q3 due to a water leak.
- •Initial speculation suggested a fuel miscalculation, later dismissed by Wolff.
- •Mercedes aims to repair water system overnight to prevent penalties.
- •Russell emphasizes focus on tire management for race day.
- •Hungaroring's surface issues contribute to tire degradation concerns.
- 4:58 PMAutosport — Russell to undergo Mercedes engine change but avoids F1 Hungarian GP grid drop
- 4:04 PMYahoo Sports — George Russell Sacrifices Hungarian GP Qualifying Pace as a Leak Caps Off Q3
"Mercedes driver George Russell will take a fresh V6 engine for the Hungarian GP following a water leak in qualifying, but will keep his seventh place on the grid. Russell qualified a distant seventh at the Hungaroring after both he and team-mate Kimi Antonelli looked adrift in qualifying, with Mercedes struggling to keep its tyre temperatures under control. Russell's second lap was ruined ...Keep reading
"George Russell’s qualifying session at the 2026 Hungarian Grand Prix came to an abrupt and highly suspicious halt on Saturday afternoon. During the closing moments of Q3, the British driver was forced to unexpectedly pull his Mercedes W17 off the…
Sources
External links- AutosportJul 25, 2026, 4:58 PMRussell to undergo Mercedes engine change but avoids F1 Hungarian GP grid drop
Mercedes driver George Russell will take a fresh V6 engine for the Hungarian GP following a water leak in qualifying, but will keep his seventh place on the grid. Russell qualified a distant seventh at the Hungaroring after both he and team-mate Kimi Antonelli looked adrift in qualifying, with Mercedes struggling to keep its tyre temperatures under control. Russell's second lap was ruined ...Keep reading
- Yahoo SportsJul 25, 2026, 4:04 PMGeorge Russell Sacrifices Hungarian GP Qualifying Pace as a Leak Caps Off Q3
George Russell’s qualifying session at the 2026 Hungarian Grand Prix came to an abrupt and highly suspicious halt on Saturday afternoon. During the closing moments of Q3, the British driver was forced to unexpectedly pull his Mercedes W17 off the…
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