Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has revealed that a software “bug” in the electrical system of George Russell’s W17 was to blame for the Briton losing a position to Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc during the Japanese Grand Prix.
While the Brackley outfit celebrated another victory at the Suzuka circuit with Kimi Antonelli, Russell’s race was mixed. In addition to losing out by pitting one lap before the safety car was deployed, Russell was compromised by his car’s software, which left him defenceless against Leclerc.
Speaking with Sky Sports F1 after the race, Wolff shared insight into the sudden loss of pace for the British driver.
“It was a bug in the electric system, in the software, that we thought we were going to give him an advantage by deploying energy,” Wolff explained.
“And what it gave him is a super clip that means it slows the car down. And this is where he unexpectedly lost the position to Leclerc. So we haven’t covered ourselves in glory when it comes to George’s race as well.”
George Russell, Mercedes
Photo by: Sam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images
After starting from second on the grid, Russell finished fourth behind race-winner Antonelli, Oscar Piastri and Charles Leclerc. As a result, Russell lost his lead in the drivers’ championship standings to his team-mate.
When asked about the pace difference between his two drivers, Wolff added: “I see it a bit mixed. The mistake that was made collectively really put George on the back foot with the car.
“From Q1, it was not good enough anymore and he had to fight with that too today. With equal cars, it’s going to be close but the moment where it was about going fast, we had to decide to protect the position against Leclerc but Kimi was putting in perfect times, so that made the difference. But he [Russell] did not have a car that was perfect.”
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