Hungarian GP: Russell’s Podium Masks Mercedes’ Development Stumbles

At the Hungarian Grand Prix, George Russell quietly collected another podium — his sixth of the season — in a race where he once again managed to avoid much of the television spotlight. His understated but consistent performances have become something of a trademark this year, with Russell often capitalizing when rivals falter. The third-place finish at the Hungaroring moved him one podium ahead of Max Verstappen, an ironic twist in a season where the Red Bull star’s struggles have become more visible.

Russell’s calm efficiency was matched by a small but significant step forward for teammate Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who secured 10th place and a return to the points. But while the results look respectable on paper, they mask a turbulent period for Mercedes — one in which development misfires and driver contract uncertainties loom large.

Podium by Persistence

For Russell, the Hungarian GP was another case of being in the right place at the right time. While his win in Canada was a genuine triumph, much of his 2025 campaign has been built on staying within striking distance and pouncing when others stumble.

In Budapest, that opportunity came when Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc saw his race unravel in the final stint. Ferrari, fearing their plank wear and ride height were approaching illegal limits, restricted engine power down the main straight. That decision left Leclerc exposed, first to Oscar Piastri — who breezed past — and then to Russell.

Russell closed in after a late stop, initially attempting an overtake with nine laps to go. He complained over the radio about Leclerc’s defensive moves under braking, but on the next attempt he made it stick. The Ferrari driver was later handed a five-second penalty for erratic driving. It was a deserved podium for Russell, but one that came against the backdrop of Mercedes’ recent technical struggles.

The Upgrade That Backfired

Mercedes’ pace in Hungary was a stark improvement from recent races, but the story behind it is less flattering. Since Miami, the team had been wrestling with inconsistent form — a slump exacerbated by a major upgrade introduced at Imola.

The new rear suspension, designed to provide greater anti-lift and keep the rear stable during aerodynamic load changes, had the opposite effect. Both Russell and Antonelli reported instability, increased tyre wear, and slower lap times. The data backed them up: before Imola, Russell had four podiums in six races; after, just one in seven before Hungary.

Ironically, the new suspension was on the car during Russell’s win in Montreal, potentially misleading Mercedes into sticking with it longer than they should have. In reality, the success owed more to the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve’s layout and cool conditions — both traditionally suiting Mercedes — than to the upgrade.

In Hungary, Mercedes finally reverted to the pre-Imola suspension. The difference was immediate. “The rear end is stable again,” Russell said after early laps in practice. Antonelli agreed: “The confidence in the car is back.”

The results were telling: Russell missed pole by just 0.053 seconds, while Antonelli managed 50 laps on one tyre set to hold onto his points finish — something impossible in previous weeks due to instability.

A Common F1 Pitfall

Mercedes are far from alone in producing an upgrade that backfires. In this regulation era, Ferrari’s 2023 Barcelona package arguably cost them a constructors’ championship challenge. Red Bull’s once-untouchable RB19 has been steadily eroded by incremental changes. Aston Martin’s 2023 form collapse happened virtually overnight after an update.

The difference is that under Formula 1’s cost cap, recovery from such mistakes is far harder. Before 2021, Mercedes could bring multiple upgrade versions to a race, test them all, and keep the best. Now, with their budget cut from around $500 million to just over $100 million, every failed development drains resources from the rest of the season.

It’s why team principal Toto Wolff was openly frustrated in Hungary:

“It shouldn’t happen that an upgrade can mess everything up like that. With all the smart people and infrastructure we have, you don’t expect a car architecture to confuse you like that. We tried to solve one problem and it made something else significantly worse.”

Russell’s Leverage in Contract Talks

If Mercedes’ on-track headaches weren’t enough, Wolff now faces an awkward situation with his driver lineup. Both Russell and Antonelli are out of contract at the end of the season, leaving the team theoretically without a confirmed driver for 2026.

For much of the year, Wolff pursued Verstappen as a marquee signing — an effort that ultimately failed, with the Dutchman committing to Red Bull and dismissing suggestions he’d even considered Mercedes. That pursuit has not gone unnoticed by Russell, who was never Wolff’s first-choice for the lead role.

Antonelli, a rookie at a top team, is expected to sign whatever is offered. Russell, however, has more bargaining power. Reports suggest he is unwilling to accept a one-year extension, instead pushing for a multi-year deal. With Verstappen unavailable until at least 2027, Russell suddenly holds all the cards.

Rival interest only strengthens his hand. Sky Sports has linked Russell to Aston Martin and Cadillac, while former Red Bull boss Christian Horner is said to have considered him for a potential future seat. Red Bull’s own uncertainty over its driver pairing makes that speculation more than idle gossip.

In Hungary, Russell played it cool:

“I’ve been waiting for 12 months. I’m not going to rush into anything within two weeks. We’ll sit down together when the time is right.”

That time could be during the summer break — or it could be delayed to keep Mercedes squirming.

Luck and Dependability

For all the political manoeuvring and engineering mishaps, Mercedes remain fortunate to have Russell in their corner. His consistency, opportunism, and ability to deliver results when the car is merely “good enough” have kept them competitive in the constructors’ fight.

The Hungarian Grand Prix was a case study in this. Mercedes, having accidentally handicapped themselves for nearly half the season, rolled back to an older specification and immediately reaped rewards. In Russell, they have a driver who can convert that modest improvement into valuable points — even when the spotlight is elsewhere.

Whether Wolff can now convert that reliability into a long-term commitment from his driver will shape Mercedes’ trajectory for the next two seasons. Lose Russell, and they not only lose a podium regular, but potentially hand a rival team a key asset.

Conclusion
Mercedes’ Hungarian GP performance was both encouraging and cautionary. Encouraging, because the decision to abandon their flawed upgrade brought an instant step forward. Cautionary, because it showed how easily a top team can undermine itself under the cost cap — and how quickly driver loyalty can be tested in the political arena.

For now, Russell’s podium is the headline, Antonelli’s return to the points a nice subplot, and Wolff’s frustration a reminder that Mercedes are still far from the form that made them the dominant force of the 2010s.

One thing is certain: as long as Russell’s contract remains unsigned, speculation will swirl — and every strong drive will only increase his value, both to Mercedes and to the teams watching from the wings.

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