Mercedes to act after George Russell blasts loss of speed before crash

George Russell’s crash sparks Mercedes review after speed loss fury

George Russell’s fiery reaction to losing grip before his race-ending crash has pushed Mercedes into a formal review. The seven-time grand prix winner hit out at the sudden loss of speed that left him stranded in the gravel at the 2026 Austrian Grand Prix on 29 June.

What happened in Austria?

Russell’s Mercedes W15 speared off into the barriers at Turn 4 on Lap 12 of the Austrian GP. The crash ended his race after he lost control when his car’s rear lost grip. Race control later confirmed the incident stemmed from a mechanical issue tied to tyre temperature and balance shifts.

Why it matters for George Russell

Russell had qualified fifth but never got a clean run in the Red Bull Ring’s changeable conditions. His team-mate Lewis Hamilton finished sixth, while Max Verstappen took the win. The crash cost Russell a points finish and left him fuming over the car’s behaviour just before the impact.

Mercedes’ sporting director Ron Meadows told Autosport the team would examine telemetry and driver feedback. “We’ll take action,” he said, confirming an internal probe into the rear-end instability that Russell flagged before the crash.

What comes next for Mercedes and Russell?

The team will review data from the session and consult Pirelli over tyre performance. Russell is set to race again in Britain on 6 July, where he’ll push for a podium after two tough weekends. A fix could come via a floor update or setup tweak before Silverstone.

Russell’s outburst underlines his frustration with Mercedes’ recent inconsistency. After a strong start to 2026, the squad has dropped behind Red Bull in race trim. The crash in Austria marks the third DNF for Russell this season, all tied to mechanical gremlins rather than driver error.