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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Giles Richards

F1’s algorithms spark driver fury as numbers neuter thrills of Spa-Francorchamps

A furious George Russell clambers from his Mercedes after crashing out of the Belgian Grand Prix
A furious George Russell clambers from his Mercedes after crashing out of the Belgian Grand Prix. Photograph: Jens Mommens/Momenol Images/Shutterstock

Another race down another classic circuit, in this case Spa-Francorchamps, left neutered for drivers and so their slow, dissonant discontent rumbles ever onward. In the wake of the Belgian Grand Prix, there was an overwhelming sense they wished to simply escape. Not so much from Spa but away from the numbers.

George Russell was at the centre of attention in Belgium, the Mercedes driver’s championship hopes taking a severe blow as, inexplicably to him and his team, his engine did not recover energy through turn one and he was left with no electrical power to deploy. He was swallowed up by the Ferraris and vying with Lewis Hamilton, who clipped him through Les Combes, was pitched out of the race.

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