Sports · Motorsport · 1 day ago
Wolff defends Russell after Singapore sprint crash
George Russell crashed his Mercedes into the barriers while leading Saturday's wet-weather sprint at the Singapore Grand Prix.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff said the crash was unusual for Russell but noted that the track was slippery and the car's power came in unexpectedly as Russell crossed a painted line.
Mechanics repaired the car in time for qualifying, though the rushed work left some sensors off and Russell said the car did not feel as good as before.
He qualified sixth, while team-mate Andrea Kimi Antonelli qualified fourth.
Russell must start Sunday's main race from the back because of an engine penalty.
Wolff said updates on Antonelli's car appeared to be working after the team adjusted its setup.
Mercedes will gather more information during the race, including on whether the updates reduce tyre wear.
George Russell crashed his Mercedes from the lead during Saturday’s wet-weather Singapore Grand Prix sprint.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff defended Russell, saying the power came in unexpectedly while the car was on a white line.
Mechanics repaired the car in time for qualifying, but the rebuild left some sensors off and Russell said the car did not feel as good as before.
Russell qualified sixth, while team-mate Andrea Kimi Antonelli qualified fourth.
Russell is due to start Sunday’s Grand Prix from the back because of a mandatory engine penalty.
- Who
- George Russell crashed his Mercedes; team principal Toto Wolff defended him.
- What
- Russell crashed out of the lead in the Singapore Grand Prix sprint. He qualified sixth after the car was repaired.
- When
- Saturday, during the 2026 Singapore Grand Prix sprint and qualifying.
- Where
- The Singapore street circuit.
- Why
- Wolff said the power came in when Russell did not expect it and that he was on the white line.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Fair enough, you know, the power kicked in at the moment where he didn't expect it, and he was on the white line,
Running first is always tricky, because you're looking how fast you can go through the corners.
I must say that the mechanics did an unbelievable job in putting the car together, but maybe at the end, you know, we didn't have all of the sensors on the car, and it didn't feel as good as it did before,
So George did a really good job.
Russell crashed his car into the barriers while leading the wet-weather sprint.
Mercedes mechanics repaired the car, but some sensors were not on it after the hurried rebuild.
Russell qualified sixth and Antonelli secured fourth on the grid.
Russell was due to start the main Grand Prix from the back because of a mandatory engine penalty.
- Russell's sprint result
- Crashed out of the lead
- Russell's qualifying position
- Sixth
- Antonelli's qualifying position
- Fourth
- Russell's Sunday starting position
- Back of the pack, due to a mandatory engine penalty
- Car rebuild
- Some sensors were not on Russell's car for qualifying
Sources
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