GEORGE RUSSELL BLAMES A MERCEDES POWER FAILURE, NOT LEWIS HAMILTON, FOR HIS BELGIAN GRAND PRIX TITLE BLOW

• George Russell retired from the Belgian Grand Prix on lap one after colliding with Lewis Hamilton, but he pinned the cause on a Mercedes power problem rather than his former teammate

• Hamilton received a five-second penalty for the clash, yet both drivers agreed afterward that it was a racing incident

• Toto Wolff confirmed all Mercedes engines lacked power on the straights in the race, extending a pattern of reliability issues that has cost the team points all season

Getty Images 

George Russell’s Belgian Grand Prix ended on the opening lap, but the Mercedes driver said a problem with his own car, rather than the collision that put him in the gravel, was the real cause of his retirement.

Russell started third at Spa-Francorchamps and held the position through the first corner before Lewis Hamilton passed him along the Kemmel Straight. Russell moved to the outside of Hamilton into the braking zone at Les Combes to try to reclaim the place, the pair made contact, and Russell was spun into the gravel and out of the race. Hamilton received a five-second penalty for the collision, but Russell placed no blame on his former Mercedes teammate.

‘I Just Got Totally Swallowed Up Down the Straight’

“I just got totally swallowed up down the straight,” Russell told Sky Sports F1. “I lost three positions down the straight down into Turn Five and then the incident was a racing incident.”

“Maybe I could have gone a bit wider, maybe he (Hamilton) could have braked a bit more. The incident shouldn’t have happened if I had the speed down the straight,” Russell added. “Very, very disappointed.”

The collision followed a qualifying session in which Russell had already flagged a lack of power, finishing more than half a second off pole-sitter Kimi Antonelli in fourth. He had spent Thursday’s media day discussing changes to his driving style to try to find lost time in this year’s cars, only to reverse that thinking on Saturday and conclude his technique was not the problem.

“I appreciate everyone is working hard to solve the problem, but I’m stood here [in the TV interview pen] on lap five of the race,” Russell said when asked how Mercedes could get to the bottom of the issue. “It felt like I was in a good position to fight for the lead up to Turn One and then, suddenly, no power and it’s all gone.”

Hamilton Agrees It Was Nobody’s Fault

Hamilton, who went on to finish fourth carrying the penalty and separate front-wing damage, echoed Russell’s read on the incident once the race was over.

“Ultimately, sorry for George because that obviously ended his race, but I did think… I do agree that it was a racing incident,” Hamilton said. “It’s not like I went in aggressive and was misplaced or anything like that. I think it was just an unfortunate scenario, which happens in racing. Then I had damage as well, so I carried that through the race. It was a tough one.”

Wolff Confirms a Problem Across the Whole Grid

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff went further than Russell in explaining what had gone wrong, confirming that every Mercedes-powered car on the grid had lost straight-line performance in the race. As well as building their own engines, Mercedes also supply McLaren, Alpine and Williams with power units.

“The accident that happened was unfortunate for us. We lost a lot of constructors’ points and George’s drivers’ points,” Wolff told Sky Sports F1. “We had an issue on all Mercedes engines that we lacked the power out on the straights. That hit him badly and it 100 per cent goes on us.”

“We are trying our best as a team. We have the most powerful power unit, a strong car that is capable of winning,” Wolff added. “Everyone is giving their maximum to minimise the mistakes and still it happens because we are humans at work.”

A Season Defined by Reliability, Not Pace

Russell’s retirement at Spa was his second of the season following an engine failure in Canada. His teammate Kimi Antonelli has had his own share of mechanical trouble, retiring in Barcelona after an engine failure and dropping from a likely victory to outside the points at Silverstone after a wheel-guard failure.

“We let Kimi down at Silverstone where George got a podium, which is maybe better than the result should have been,” Wolff said. “Then one DNF for Montreal, the other in Barcelona. That’s a little bit of the story of our season. It’s a technical sport, a mechanical sport.”

“We came out with a product [power unit] that is so strong and I’d rather fix the reliability rather than accelerate a slow engine, or slow car,” he continued. “We are giving it 100 per cent and need to give it 100 per cent because we lost a lot of points with reliability. We should be much further ahead than we are.”

Championship Fallout

The result dropped Russell 50 points behind championship leader Antonelli, and Hamilton’s fourth place moved him back ahead of Russell into second in the standings, 45 points off the lead.

- Jack Renn

HAMILTON'S SURFING TRIP WITH KIM KARDASHIAN SPARKS HILARIOUS SERGIO PEREZ REACTION

Photo: Race Pictures

With Formula 1 enjoying a week-long break ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton recently delighted fans by sharing footage of himself surfing alongside Kim Kardashian, and Sergio Perez could not help but offer a hilarious reaction to the footage.

The seven-time champion, who has often been seen sharing relatively affectionate moments with the American socialite, despite the pair not openly admitting they were in a relationship, again thrilled his fans and followers when he took to his Instagram to share footage of him surfing.

While the video itself was entertaining, it was Hamilton's perfectly executed 360-degree spin on the wave that really got fans talking. Kardashian was visibly thrilled by the Ferrari driver's display, screaming with excitement as she watched him complete the impressive manoeuvre.

However, amid the several reactions that continued to greet Hamilton's surfing adventure, Cadillac driver Sergio Perez could not help but drop in a cheeky comment. The former Red Bull Racing driver, reacting to the video, simply quipped: "Ai 100% 😂"

Kim Kardashian was present at the Monaco Grand Prix to cheer Lewis Hamilton - Photo: Race Pictures

Hamilton and Kardashian have continued to appear in public together, and the American socialite was present at the Monaco Grand Prix to cheer Hamilton following his second-place finish at the famed Monte Carlo street race.

George Russell pokes fun at Lewis Hamilton over Kim Kardashian

Earlier during the British Grand Prix weekend, George Russell could not resist teasing Hamilton about Kim Kardashian during a fan event at the Silverstone Circuit. The pair, who were teammates at Mercedes, appeared together on stage in front of a lively crowd alongside fellow British drivers Lando Norris, Arvid Lindblad and Oliver Bearman.

The event was hosted by Sky Sports commentator David Croft, who commented on Hamilton's noticeably positive demeanour this season. Crofty noted: "Lewis, on track and off track, you're a much happier man this year, and from everyone here, that is great to see."

Russell swiftly interjected with comedic timing, playfully asking Hamilton: "Is that because of a fast car or a new girlfriend?" The comment drew laughter from the crowd and the drivers on stage. Hamilton took the question in good humour and smiled before saying, "Yeah, that's a good one."

Croft jumped back in on the joke, telling Hamilton, "You know why he's asking? He just needs to know whether Kimi needs two towels."

During the Monaco Grand Prix, at which Kardashian was present, she was seen picking up Kimi Antonelli's towel and using it to wipe her face in the aftermath of the race, a moment that was captured and shared online. Kardashian would eventually gift Antonelli a replacement towel bearing the inscription: "To Kimi from Kim".

- Samson Ero

SIR LEWIS HAMILTON TOPS FREE PRACTICE 1 | SILVERSTONE 2026

 

LEWIS HAMILTON IS THE ONLY DRIVER TO SCORE POINTS IN EVERY ROUND

 

Lewis Hamilton is the only driver to score points in every round this season 🤯👏

LEWIS HAMILTON SENDS WAR CRY AHEAD OF AUSTRIAN GP | CAN FERRARI BEAT MERCEDES?

 

Lewis Hamilton sends a war cry and a warning to Mercedes ahead of the Austrian GP as the Ferrari driver looks to beat the Silver Arrows once again to claim his second win of the 2026 F1 season on June 28.

Hamilton is now finally off the mark for the Scuderia after dominating the final part of the Barcelona GP, going on to beat George Russell by 19.5 seconds as the Brit and Maranello made a gutsy three-stop strategy work.

That win continues a strong run of form from the seven-time world champion, who has four podiums to his name and is yet to finish below sixth. He is just one of two driver to finish sixth or better in every race so far along with Antonelli and McLaren’s Lando Norris

He remains the only driver to complete every lap of the season and leads the head-to-head against teammate Charles Leclerc 5-2 in Grand Prix races and 4-3 in qualifying, as he rebounds to his finest form following a difficult spell in the Ground Effect Era.

Now 41 points behind in the Formula 1 standings, the 41-year-old aims to continue closing the gap to Kimi Antonelli as he looks to catch his replacement after his decision to leave Brackley in February 2024.

The Italian, who was Toto Wolff’s pick for the seat, suffered a late DNF at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya to narrow the gap in the drivers’ championship, despite winning five of the opening seven races – highlighting the fine margins in the sport.

And the 106-time winner has no intention of stopping with that single taste of glory as Hamilton sends a war cry to Mercedes ahead of Austrian GP that he is looking to chase down back-to-back wins.

“I’m thinking about arriving and I want to win this weekend,” Hamilton told media, including Total-Motorsport.com. “That’s my goal. That’s what I’ve been working for all week, last week and this week. I’ve not been having dinners.

“It’s head back down with the sacrifices you need to make to make sure that you arrive 100% so you can deliver for these people.

“Especially also knowing how far it reaches, the impact and decisions that I make in the car and what we do here. So those are the things I think about.”

Hamilton refused to enjoy final laps of Barcelona GP

After pitting under the virtual safety car to switch to hard tyres for his final stint to retain the lead of the Barcelona GP with younger tyres than the chasing pack behind him, Hamilton wasted no time breaking out of Overtake Mode range.

Within a lap he was clear of any danger from Russell and the gap only started to swell from there onwards, amassing to almost 20 seconds come the chequered flag on Lap 66 of the Barcelona GP on June 14.

But despite knowing he was comfortably clear of the field and capable of coasting to the finish, able to take as little risk as he wanted to, Hamilton admits he was not interested in enjoying the final laps and simply focused on bringing the car home.

“Honestly, I was almost praying that the car would make it to the finish,” Hamilton added. “I’ve experienced gearbox failures, engine failures, hydraulic issues, battery problems, and brake failures in the past, so you never take anything for granted.

“I was focused on not making mistakes and on bringing home the points for the team. During the final lap I actively stopped myself from thinking about the win because the job isn’t done until you’ve crossed the line.

“Even when I saw the crowd, I reminded myself there were still corners left. It wasn’t until I was well past the chequered flag and saw the team on the pit wall that I finally allowed myself to think, ‘OK, the job is done.’”

- Brandon Sutton

FORMULA 1 2026/27 SEASON WINNERS SO FAR

 

SIR LEWIS HAMILTON | GRAND PRIX WINS PER F1 TEAM

 

SIR LEWIS HAMILTON WINS THE BARCELONA-CATALUNYA GRAND PRIX 2026

 

LEWIS HAMILTON MAKES FERRARI DISCOVERY AFTER 'ONE MILLION' OVERHAUL

Lewis Hamilton believes he has made a breakthrough at Ferrari after previous struggles.

© XPBimages

Lewis Hamilton believes he is now starting "to see the fruits" of his 2025 Ferrari struggles after an upturn in form. 

Hamilton scored his best Ferrari result to date in Canada with second place, and followed this up with another second in Monaco - the first time he has scored back-to-back podiums since Hungary and Belgium 2024 whilst at Mercedes.

He also scooped third in China and, after Monte Carlo, has climbed to second in the drivers' championship, two points ahead of George Russell.

It is the first time since the 2021 Abu Dhabi GP that Hamilton has been within the top two of the drivers' championship, after enduring a tricky handful of seasons, including 2025, where he failed to score a grand prix podium in his first season at Ferrari.

Detailing how the "ship" had turned, Hamilton explained that the woes of 2025 were finally starting to yield results.

"I came to a team that has everything it needs to succeed, but it is just putting the pieces of the puzzle in the right place, and I've been 100% committed to getting to that point," Hamilton told media, including RacingNews365.

"Fred [Vasseur, team principal] has been great when working with me and helping engineers, with the set-up being one million times better than it was last year, and I'm starting to see the fruits of driving the car last year, and I asked for certain things, and we have those today, for example, the suspension. 

"So it is great to work with everyone to move the ship and steer it in the right direction, but there is still a way to go."

- Jake Nichol and Fergal Walsh

KIM KARDASHIAN & SIR LEWIS HAMILTON HAVING A SPLENDID DAY AT THE BEACH

 

MOST PODIUMS IN MONACO

 

KIM & KHLOE KARDASHIAN CAME TO MONACO 🇲🇨 TO SUPPORT SIR LEWIS HAMILTON | MONACO GRAND PRIX 2026

 

KIM KARDASHIAN IN MONACO 🇲🇨 TO SUPPORT HIS BOYFRIEND SIR LEWIS HAMILTON

 

SIR LEWIS HAMILTON | F1 RADIO | CANADIAN GRAND PRIX 2026

 

WHY LEWIS HAMILTON IS DITCHING FERRARI F1 SIMULATOR AFTER WORRYING CLAIM

Lewis Hamilton believes Ferrari's F1 simulator misled him at the Miami Grand Prix.

Hamilton had a tough weekend in Miami as he lagged behind Leclerc

Lewis Hamilton plans to ditch Ferrari’s Formula 1 simulator and has vowed to try a “different approach” following the Miami Grand Prix.

Seven-time world champion Hamilton was critical of Ferrari’s simulator following a tough grand prix qualifying in Miami, saying it was sending him “in the wrong direction” after only managing sixth place.

Hamilton was on the back foot compared to team-mate Charles Leclerc in Miami and after finishing sixth in the race (seventh on the road before Leclerc's post-race penalty), he revealed he plans to no longer use Ferrari’s simulator after believing it misled him on a “weekend to forget”.

"I'm going to have a different approach in the next race,” Hamilton said in response to a question from Crash.net. “Because the way we're preparing at the moment is, it's not helping. And so we'll see how that goes for the next race.

"Ultimately it's always [a matter of] correlation. We go on it, and then get to the track and the car feels different when you get to a track.

“I don’t like simulators in general, but I'm at the simulator every week in the build-up to this race and working on correlation constantly.

"You go on it, you prepare for the track, you drive it and you get the car set-up to a certain place - and then you come to the track and that set-up doesn't work.

"And in the sprint weekend for example, you've only got practice one, you don't really want to veer off from your set-up too far, like with a big suspension change, and so you stay with it. And then you make a change going into qualifying and you've only got six laps to get on top of it.

"So in an ideal world I should have started where Charles was at the beginning of the weekend and I think we would have just had a stronger weekend from there on.

"So I'm not going to go on the simulator between now and the next race [in Canada]. I'll still go and hold meetings at the factory and stuff - but I'm just going to back away from it for a little bit and see.

“When we went to China I had the best weekend without the sim.”

Hamilton’s race was ultimately ruined by substantial damage picked up in an opening lap clash with Alpine’s Franco Colapinto.

“Generally, I’m happy with it [the car], we just started on the wrong foot this weekend," he added. 

“The car didn't feel very snappy on the way into corners and then massive understeer in the mid-corner - so that's not the balance that you would want.

“It was better for qualifying than for going into the race, but I wasn’t able to really capitalise on it.” 

- Lewis Larkam

LEWIS HAMILTON FOLLOWS UP FIRST FERRARI PODIUM WITH OSCARS WIN

The F1 Movie, nominated for four Academy Awards, won an Oscar on Sunday night.

Hamilton scored his first Grand Prix podium with Ferrari in China

Lewis Hamilton is now an Oscar-winning film producer after the Formula 1 movie picked up the gong for Best Sound.

F1, which Hamilton co-produced and had a cameo in alongside Brad Pitt, secured the Oscar for Best Sound at Sunday night’s prestigious awards ceremony in Los Angeles.

Seven-time world champion Hamilton worked closely on the blockbuster alongside director Joseph Kosinski and lead producer Jerry Bruckheimer.

As well as giving advice on the script and his insight into the world of F1, Hamilton also took part in a driving day with Pitt.

Hamilton was unable to attend the Oscars because of his clashing commitments at the Chinese Grand Prix.

The 41-year-old Briton celebrated his first grand prix podium with Ferrari by beating team-mate Charles Leclerc to third place following a thrilling battle.

Hamilton finished behind the dominant Mercedes duo of Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who claimed his first F1 victory, and former Silver Arrows team-mate George Russell.

Speaking ahead of the weekend, Hamilton confirmed he would not be able to make the Academy Awards on time.

"I think it's impossible," Hamilton said. "I've looked at every way to get there in time, but unfortunately I can't get there.

"But I'll FaceTime with Joe and Jerry when they're there, which will be cool.

"I'm incredibly proud, and I never ever thought in a million years that that would be the outcome of the work that we're doing over the past years.

"It's amazing to see. I don't know if it's the sport, but to see how much promotion there is around the world, to see the buzz, to see new people getting excited for the sport, in the way that so many of us were growing up.

"It's really great to see that that is expanding. And on top of that, I'm still here, still to be a part of it and witness it.”

The F1 movie also won a BAFTA for Best Sound in London last month.

It was nominated for four Oscars in total, including Best Picture and Visual Effects.

It became the highest-grossing original film of 2025, making over $600m globally.

It was also Pitt’s most successful project, beating World War Z in 2013.

Bruckheimer has confirmed that a sequel to the F1 blockbuster is officially in the works, with Hamilton already working on the first script.

- Lewis Larkam

LANDO NORRIS ON LEWIS HAMILTON

 

SIR LEWIS HAMILTON SHOWS SUPPORT FOR RACIALLY ABUSED VINÍCIUS JÚNIOR AT A UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE GAME

 

LEWIS HAMILTON IN BAD BUNNY’S SUPER BOWL LX HALFTIME SHOW | VIA LEWIS HAMILTON/IG

 

KIM KARDASHIAN'S NEW LOOK FOR LEWIS HAMILTON! STAR CHANNELS PAMELA ANDERSON FOR 90'S-LOVING F1 DATE WITH FAKE BANGS AND OVERSIZED DEBUT CHOCKER FOR PUBLIC AT SUPER BOWL

Lewis Hamilton is dating US star Kim ­Kardashian. The pair are seen greeting each other at the GQ Men of the Year ceremony during 2014Credit: B2767

Kim Kardashian was sporting a whole new 90s look when she went to the Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium with new love interest Lewis Hamilton on Sunday. 

The mother-of-four, 45, wore clip-in bangs, oversized shaded and a choker, a look she sported before to the CFDA in 2023, which was inspired by 90s Pamela Anderson, now 58, according to her hairdresser.

And it transpires that F1 champ Lewis, 41,  has a love for all things 90s, channelling the fashion in double denim.

And his appreciation spans driving iconic 90s machinery, specifically Ayrton Senna’s 1990 McLaren and wearing nostalgic 90s national team tracksuits. 

He also enjoys 90s cinema and his favourite movie is Cool Runnings, which was released in 1993. 

Kim Kardashian's new look for Lewis Hamilton! Star channelled Pamela Anderson for 90s-loving love interest with fake bangs and an oversized choker for public debut at Super Bowl

Kim and Lewis have been enjoying a secret romance for weeks and made their public debut at the Super Bowl on Sunday

Kim's long-term hairstylist Chris Appleton posted a picture of Kim's new look on socials and wrote: 'Super Bowl bangs' and previously discussed the secret behind her clip-in fringe. 

He told Vogue: 'The look was inspired by '90s Pammy. It was a much more undone look than we’ve done previously and adding piecey bangs really gave it a lived-in finish.

'I followed her cheekbones for placement. Kim and I worked visually, just grabbing hair and pinning it into place. From there, the key element was getting the separation in the bangs.'

Kim has never gone on a date to the Super Bowl before, although in 2010, she was pictured there with boyfriend, running back, Reggie Bush, who was playing.

Sunday night was the first public outing for Kim and Lewis after conducting their secret romance behind closed doors.  

The pair were spotted enjoying the showdown between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots, amid reports they are enjoying a 'secret romance'.

It comes days after Kim and Lewis were pictured checking in to upmarket hotel Estelle Manor.

The pair were seen arriving with a motorcade in tow at the five-star establishment in the English Cotswolds, which is frequented by the rich and famous.

They enjoyed an intimate dinner and a couple's massage as part of a romantic weekend getaway to the A-list favourite spot in the Cotswolds.

F1 champ Lewis has a love of all things 90s - seen here sporting double denim in the style of Britney and Justin back in 2021 in Baku 

The pair were spotted enjoying the showdown between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots on Sunday amid reports they are enjoying a 'secret romance'

Kim has never gone on a date to the Super Bowl before, although in 2010, she was pictured there with boyfriend, running back, Reggie Bush, who was playing

Kim and Lewis have been friends for years but recently took their relationship to the next level as they enjoyed a European vacation together; Pictured in 2021

Kim jetted into the UK on her $125 million private jet to spend just time with her new beau at the exclusive venue, with three bodyguards protecting the couple.

Then they both travelled to Paris where Kim was promoting her Nike SKIMS line.

A lip reader has unmasked the conversation between the two at the Super Bowl as Lewis seemingly promised Kim that she would meet his mom in a viral clip from the broadcast. 

'No I don't take just any girl to my mom, I mean you're gonna meet someday, she is very excited to see you,' he reportedly said to Kim, according to expert Nicola Hickling, who is the founder of LipReader. 

Hickling told the Daily Mail that Kim appeared to 'shuffle uncomfortably in her seat' and covered her face 'before replying with a simple okay'.

Meanwhile body language expert Judi James revealed to the Daily Mail how Kim used a 'hot and cool' flirting technique that left Lewis 'purring'.

'Firstly, there is the pose that registers undivided attention between them, which is a form of non-verbal stroke when you're on a date,' James said, dissecting their interaction.

'Kim actually leans back to take in Lewis visually as he speaks and this flattering "stroke" produces a "purr" response from him which is visible in the way his facial features soften and he talks through a smile of pleasure.'

James noted that, 'Kim adds to the flirting when the tip of her tongue appears at the side of her mouth. This is usually seen as a gesture of playful desire or interest.'

'But then she seems to switch to a very smart technique of intense interest followed by distraction, suddenly looking away after bathing Lewis in her interested gaze.'

'She even brings one hand up to touch her hair and hide her face from him. This hot/cool body language technique is used to capture someone's attention and to get them to coax the signals of interest back again,' James observed.

'Kim's hand to hair gesture looks like a preen here, suggesting she sees Lewis as a very suitable "catch" to show off with pride at this public event.'

- REBECCA DAVISON