Mercedes’ battery glitch tore through every powered car at the Belgian Grand Prix, forcing a chaotic start that cost several points.
Mercedes Battery Glitch Devastates Opening Laps
Toto Wolff confirmed that all Mercedes‑powered engines suffered a lack of energy immediately after Turn 1, a problem that rippled down the field.
George Russell, who began the race on pole, slipped into the midfield on the Kemmel straight after the Eau Rouge sequence, then crash‑landed into gravel when Hamilton lapped him en‑route to the pits.
Driver‑Specific Outcomes
Kimi Antonelli’s opening split was minimal, but the slick start left him unsure of what was happening; after a brief swap with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, he drafted past the Austrian to take the lead before stuttering again near Turn 5.
Pierre Gasly, fighting another battery shortfall, was abandoned by cars on the run to Eau Rouge and dropped from 10th on the grid into the rear of the field.
Secondary performers such as Williams’ Alex Albon got a strong launch before the energy issue forced a decline, while Carlos Sainz lost positions after a front‑wing impact during Turn 1.
Team Statement and Future Fixes
Wolff highlighted the strength of the Mercedes engine package, but acknowledged reliability gaps that “costs valuable points in the constructors’ championship.” He pledged a technical review to resolve the glitch in the coming days.
"