Mercedes driver George Russell finished seventh at the Hungarian Grand Prix after an engine software issue triggered an anti-stall at the start. He now sits third in the drivers' championship with 160 points after 11 races.
Russell converted pole into victory at the Australian Grand Prix and won the Chinese sprint race earlier in the year. Multiple setbacks followed, including an engine failure in Canada, a retirement in Belgium, and a qualifying issue in Shanghai that cost him pole to teammate Kimi Antonelli.
At the Hungaroring, a water leak destroyed his engine on Saturday, forcing a change ahead of the race. On the grid an engine software glitch sent revs beyond 12,800 RPM, leading Russell to lift off the throttle. The car dropped to 4,500 RPM at launch and triggered anti-stall.
Team principal Toto Wolff confirmed the problem was technical and outside the driver's control. Russell posted on Instagram that he would keep pushing after a season of highs and disappointments, adding it was time for rest during the summer shutdown.
