A software issue undid George Russell’s 2026 F1 Hungarian GP in an instant. Moments before the lights went out, his engine began revving erratically. The problem dropped him from sixth on the grid to the back of the field before the first corner.
Down to 21st as Sergio Pérez had started from pit lane, the 28-year-old delivered a good comeback drive to P7 with lots of overtaking. In fact, he ended up just 2s behind Isack Hadjar at the flag, showing his race pace was strong.
Speaking in the print media pen, the Mercedes driver broke down exactly what happened on the grid and why it was out of his hands.
He also discussed how he is coping with a season that keeps delivering setbacks.
“As I just said, I’m sort of past the point of disappointment now, because it’s just, if I’m continuing to be disappointed with everything that goes on, I’ll just be disappointed every day of the week. So, it’s sort of like, I’ve got to stay positive.
“Obviously, another technical issue that completely ruined the race, but I can take some positives. The pace was very strong. The team said it was as strong as anybody out there, which I haven’t been there for probably two or three races now.
“So, I’ll take positives there, but yeah, it’s just unbelievable, the list of things that’s happened this season.”
Russell explains the issue behind his 2026 F1 Hungarian GP start
Asked to talk through what happened at the start of the 2026 F1 Hungarian GP, George Russell described a straightforward procedure that suddenly went wrong without warning.
“I was on the throttle holding the revs, and then all of a sudden, about four seconds before the lights went out, the engine just started revving all over the place, and I was reacting with my throttle, and it was doing nothing. So, the engine wasn’t reacting to the throttle,” Russell said.
Pushed on whether the problem was something he had experienced previously this year, George Russell confirmed it is potentially something that happened already in pre-season testing back in Bahrain..
“So, it was obviously a brand new engine. I think it was something we saw in pre-season at some point. But yeah, no idea,” he said.
A season full of setbacks continues for the Mercedes driver
Russell was then asked what more he and Mercedes can do to stop the recurring technical issues from following him into the second half of the 2026 F1 season.
Importantly, this sequence of setbacks in 2026 includes not only the Hungarian GP for Russell but plenty of other races as well.
He pointed out that the whole garage shares the frustration, it is not just him. The 2026 Australian and Austrian race winner is hopeful for an end to the misfortune soon as he looks to get back in the title race after the summer break.
“I mean, obviously the problems are happening, but the whole team feels it as well. They’re as pissed off as I am with how it’s unfolded. We need to look at ourselves and ensure there’s nothing we’re doing wrong that is contributing to these errors. Obviously, Oscar had his thing today as well. It’s not like we’re the only one, but it does feel like it is happening substantially more to me than others, and hopefully it swings around. I don’t wish any bad luck on anyone, but I’ve never had a season like this in my whole career, let alone my F1 career,” he said.
George Russell on staying positive despite the 2026 F1 Hungarian GP result
The driver of car #63 also discussed how he avoids slipping into a negative mindset after another disappointing result. Russell’s ability to remain positive, even after his Hungarian GP experience in 2026, is noteworthy.
He explained the approach that helps him get through the run of bad luck. Nonetheless, he cannot wait for the summer break to switch off.
“Don’t be disappointed with things outside of your control. Today, the race was totally ruined. I did my procedure right at the start. The pace was fine. The result was shit, but the things that I could have controlled, they were just okay. I usually don’t feel like I need a break. This year, I definitely feel like I need one,” Russell said.
Despite the result, Russell pointed to genuine pace in the car as a rare bright spot from an otherwise ruined afternoon.
He noted the team’s own assessment that the Mercedes matched any car on the grid for pace. This was a claim he had not made for a few race weekends. For Russell, the 2026 Hungarian GP still showcased some positives in performance, despite disappointment.
The result extends a lengthening list of technical problems that have hit Russell throughout the 2026 season. A separate power unit issue was part of the cause for his opening-lap retirement at the previous round in Belgium.
Russell now trails teammate Kimi Antonelli by 59 points in the championship standings.
