Toto Wolff accepts blame for George Russell's early exit in Belgium
The Guardian Sport • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 19, 2026, 3:24 PM
Last updated Jul 19, 2026
Toto Wolff acknowledged responsibility for the power unit issue that led to George Russell's retirement during the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps on July 19. Russell's race ended on lap five after his battery was depleted, leaving him vulnerable to competitors. Wolff emphasized that team mistakes contributed significantly to the problem, and he expressed support for Russell in dealing with the disappointment. The Mercedes team has been facing performance issues with the power unit that has not been fully explained, indicating ongoing challenges in the current racing season.
- •George Russell retired due to a power unit failure on lap five.
- •Kimi Antonelli won the race by 1.9 seconds over Charles Leclerc.
- •Mercedes has acknowledged persistent power performance issues.
- •Toto Wolff emphasized the need for team support amid struggles.
- •Lewis Hamilton received a five-second penalty for a collision.
- 7:06 PMThe Guardian Sport — Russell’s Mercedes problems ‘100% on us’, says Toto Wolff after Belgium blow
- 3:24 PMYahoo Sports — Toto Wolff Takes Full Blame for the Power Loss That Ended George Russell’s Belgian GP
"Russell clipped by Hamilton on lap one after power loss British driver 50 points behind Antonelli in standings Toto Wolff, the Mercedes principal, has admitted the team let George Russell down. The British driver failed to score a point at the Belgian Grand Prix after a clash with Lewis Hamilton which Russell attributed squarely to his car’s performance not being up to scratch. The race at Spa was won by Russell’s teammate, Kimi Antonelli, who now leads Russell by 50 points in the world championship, a serious blow to the British driver’s title hopes. Continue reading...
"Kimi Antonelli crossed the line 1.9 seconds clear of Charles Leclerc to claim his sixth win of the 2026 season at Spa-Francorchamps. His teammate wasn’t there to see it. George Russell‘s afternoon ended in the gravel on lap five, and…
Sources
External links- The Guardian SportJul 19, 2026, 7:06 PMRussell’s Mercedes problems ‘100% on us’, says Toto Wolff after Belgium blow
Russell clipped by Hamilton on lap one after power loss British driver 50 points behind Antonelli in standings Toto Wolff, the Mercedes principal, has admitted the team let George Russell down. The British driver failed to score a point at the Belgian Grand Prix after a clash with Lewis Hamilton which Russell attributed squarely to his car’s performance not being up to scratch. The race at Spa was won by Russell’s teammate, Kimi Antonelli, who now leads Russell by 50 points in the world championship, a serious blow to the British driver’s title hopes. Continue reading...
- Yahoo SportsJul 19, 2026, 3:24 PMToto Wolff Takes Full Blame for the Power Loss That Ended George Russell’s Belgian GP
Kimi Antonelli crossed the line 1.9 seconds clear of Charles Leclerc to claim his sixth win of the 2026 season at Spa-Francorchamps. His teammate wasn’t there to see it. George Russell‘s afternoon ended in the gravel on lap five, and…
Original reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.
Related Stories
Last 14 days
F1•Nov 5, 2026, 12:19 AMKimi Antonelli to honour Ayrton Senna with special helmet at Brazilian GP
F1•Nov 4, 2026, 11:44 PMHamilton Says He Could Have Gone ‘All Kamikaze’ on Leclerc at Silverstone
F1•Nov 4, 2026, 5:01 PMCharles Leclerc becomes a father ahead of F1's Sao Paulo Grand Prix
F1•Nov 4, 2026, 4:33 PMToto Wolff addresses his future at Mercedes after momentous Kimi Antonelli win
F1•Nov 4, 2026, 4:27 PMHow Mercedes can win the 2026 F1 constructors' championship at the Brazilian GP
F1•Nov 4, 2026, 3:05 PMEsteban Ocon's F1 career may be ending, but his story is one of success