{"id":2187035,"date":"2026-10-08T13:35:38","date_gmt":"2026-10-08T10:35:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2187035"},"modified":"2026-10-08T13:35:38","modified_gmt":"2026-10-08T10:35:38","slug":"george-russell-pushed-for-no-brainer-divided-mercedes-f1-car-strategy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2187035","title":{"rendered":"George Russell pushed for &#8220;no-brainer&#8221; divided Mercedes F1 car strategy"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/xpb_1442717_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9&#8243;]<\/p>\n<article>\n<header id=\"lbs-article\" class=\"article header article-header section layout layout--article-header\">\n<div class=\"col headline\">\n<div>\n<h1>George Russell pushed for &#8220;no-brainer&#8221; divided Mercedes F1 car strategy<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"summary body\">\n<p>George Russell says it was his idea for Mercedes to carry out a back-to-back comparison test in Singapore.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"section two-column\">\n<div class=\"col article-info\">\n<div>\n<address> Lewis Larkam <\/address>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div><time datetime=\"2026-10-08T14:35:38+01:00\">08 Oct 2026<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"col article-actions\">\n<div class=\"block block-better-social-sharing-buttons block-social-sharing-buttons-block\">\n<div class=\"social-sharing-buttons\"><span class=\"ssb-title\"> Share<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div id=\"lbs-content\" class=\"content wide-two-column-sticky section layout layout--wide-two-column-sticky\">\n<div class=\"col first-column\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<figure> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/xpb_1442717_hires.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1920w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/xpb_1442717_hires.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1800w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/xpb_1442717_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1600w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/xpb_1442717_hires.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1500w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/xpb_1442717_hires.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1200w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/xpb_1442717_hires.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 900w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/xpb_1442717_hires.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 800w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/xpb_1442717_hires.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 600w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/xpb_1442717_hires.jpg?width=400&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 400w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 710px, (min-width:768px) 62vw, 97vw\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><figcaption>\n<div>George Russell will serve a grid penalty in Singapore<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block block-preferred-source\">\n<aside>\n<div class=\"preferred-source\">\n<div class=\"info\">\n<div>  Prefer Crash.Net on Google <\/div>\n<div> See our stories more often<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"button\">  Add <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"body\">\n<p>George Russell has revealed he initially suggested that Mercedes should run a back-to-back comparison between its old and latest Formula 1 specifications to test whether its new upgrade works.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Mercedes deployed its first major car upgrade to the W17 since the end of May at last weekend\u2019s Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, but the team did not find the competitive gains it expected.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>After a difficult weekend at Sepang, Mercedes confirmed it would run a drastic split-specification comparison test in Singapore, with Russell running the older-spec aero package, and Andrea Kimi Antonelli using the latest version.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>According to Russell, who will start from towards the back of the grid due to an engine penalty after suffering a heartbreaking late power unit failure in Malaysia, he first instigated the idea last weekend.\u00a0<\/p>\n<figure> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/xpb_1442523_hires.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp 1920w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/xpb_1442523_hires.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp 1800w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/xpb_1442523_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp 1600w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/xpb_1442523_hires.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp 1500w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/xpb_1442523_hires.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp 1200w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/xpb_1442523_hires.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp 900w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/xpb_1442523_hires.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp 800w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/xpb_1442523_hires.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp 600w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/xpb_1442523_hires.jpg?width=400&amp;format=webp 400w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 710px, (min-width:768px) 62vw, 97vw\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><figcaption>\n<div>Russell and Antonelli will run split car specifications for Mercedes<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>&#8220;Actually I instigated the conversation prior to the race on Sunday,\u201d Russell told reports in Singapore, as quoted by Motorsport.com.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;When the failure happened it was kind of a no-brainer, because we were kind of 50-50 about it pre-race, and I was more in favour to do it, and that was even pre-race, whereas now it is a total no-brainer.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;There&#8217;s no signs telling us the upgrade was not working, and we know the car we had in Baku was the same car as we had in Budapest and Zandvoort, and in Baku we were on pole by eight tenths, and in Budapest we were four tenths off the pace.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Those fluctuations, even with a consistent car and your rivals with the same car, are drastic, you have a fluctuation of plus or minus one second, it can be that delta, so we&#8217;re pretty confident it&#8217;s a Malaysia specific.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;When you look at the pace of Red Bull as well, they clearly overperformed compared to where they&#8217;ve been this season, compared to all of the other teams. When you look at our pace compared to McLaren and Ferrari, it wasn&#8217;t too dissimilar, it wasn&#8217;t massively out of step.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<figure> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/xpb_1442253_hires.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp 1920w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/xpb_1442253_hires.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp 1800w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/xpb_1442253_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp 1600w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/xpb_1442253_hires.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp 1500w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/xpb_1442253_hires.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp 1200w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/xpb_1442253_hires.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp 900w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/xpb_1442253_hires.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp 800w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/xpb_1442253_hires.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp 600w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/xpb_1442253_hires.jpg?width=400&amp;format=webp 400w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 710px, (min-width:768px) 62vw, 97vw\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><figcaption>\n<div>Russell retired five laps from the end in Malaysia<\/div>\n<div class=\"source\"> \u00a9\u00a0XPB Images<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&#8220;This engine penalty this weekend has given us a good opportunity to roll back, it&#8217;s the car that I won in Baku with.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Antonelli, who leads the championship by 84 points from Russell, believes the upgrade is an improvement but that any performance gains were masked by Sepang being an \u201coutlier\u201d track for Mercedes.\u00a0<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article\">\n<h2>Read Also<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-9aa76867f32143f3a30584c3d6dcfae7ec6d0b2fa67ed4346ea0b79e4291df1d\">\n<div class=\"item-list\">\n<ul>\n<li>F1 drivers want cooling vests banned as Max Verstappen claims \u201cI don\u2019t need it\u201d<\/li>\n<li>Mercedes reveals Singapore split car plan amid F1 upgrade confusion<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>&#8220;The numbers told us a different story in Sepang, but I think in Sepang, it was a bit of an outlier because the tarmac was just so rough. Actually, in some corners, we were missing tarmac,\u201d the 20-year-old Italian said.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Also, it was so hot; at times we had 60-plus degrees track temperature. So I think it was a bit of an outlier and definitely I feel like this weekend is going to be a bit more representative.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>&#8220;You know, cooler temperatures, the tarmac is in a much better state. And I think it&#8217;s going to be a very good test because in Sepang, we struggled a lot in low speed and here we have a lot of low speed. So let&#8217;s see how it&#8217;s going to be.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We&#8217;ll have two different cars on two different packages. So that is going to be interesting to see how we&#8217;re going to have a straight comparison on that side.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I think there&#8217;s an actual improvement [with the new package], it&#8217;s just we didn&#8217;t quite see it in Sepang. That&#8217;s why it was such an outlier.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Hopefully this weekend, we&#8217;ll be able to understand it more and to put the car in a better place and be able to use its full potential.&#8221;<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block block-campaign-monitor\">\n<h2>Sign up for the Crash F1 Newsletter<\/h2>\n<div class=\"extra-info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-legal\" id=\"edit-legal--2\">\n<p>Your information will be used in accordance with our Privacy Policy.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block block-field-keywords block-layout-builder\">\n<h2>Tags:<\/h2>\n<div class=\"field_keywords\">F1<\/div>\n<div class=\"field_keywords\">Mercedes<\/div>\n<div class=\"field_keywords\">George Russell<\/div>\n<div class=\"field_keywords\">Andrea Kimi Antonelli<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block block-next-prev\">\n<div class=\"next-prev-pager contextual-region\">\n<div class=\"items\">\n<div class=\"item prev\">\n<h3> Previous <span>Article<\/span><\/h3>\n<div class=\"card card_plain\">\n<div class=\"content\"> Lewis Hamilton hits back at Ferrari critics after strategy blunder: \u201cMcLaren made the same mistake\u201d <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"item next\">\n<h3> Next <span>Article<\/span><\/h3>\n<div class=\"card card_plain\">\n<div class=\"content\"> F1 drivers want cooling vests banned as Max Verstappen claims \u201cI don\u2019t need it\u201d <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-author-block block block-configurable-views-block\">\n<div class=\"author-view grid-view js-view-dom-id-b5d18a723a8ef6e35ad368c22d267b78462936632c62bf7ef70902ac0f1c8cd9\">\n<div class=\"card user default\">\n<div class=\"image\"> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/pictures\/1bc46a82-ac76-40ea-9cf5-d309b802b0ef_1.jpeg?height=270&amp;format=webp 270w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/pictures\/1bc46a82-ac76-40ea-9cf5-d309b802b0ef_1.jpeg?height=180&amp;format=webp 180w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/pictures\/1bc46a82-ac76-40ea-9cf5-d309b802b0ef_1.jpeg?height=90&amp;format=webp 90w\" sizes=\"100px\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"info\">\n<div class=\"header\">\n<div class=\"text\">\n<div class=\"name\">Lewis Larkam<\/div>\n<div class=\"role\">F1 Editor<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"desc\">\n<p>Lewis regularly attends Grands Prix for Crash.net around the world. Often reporting on the action from the ground, Lewis tells the stories of the people who matter in the sport.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"views-element-container block block-views-blockrelated-content-related-content-block\">\n<h3>Related Articles<\/h3>\n<div class=\"grid-view grid-2 js-view-dom-id-03ac30f870995b6332f7866e6f236e8ba98a2517ad3caf1c296857930bdf0941\">\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Jacques Villeneuve highlights the \u2018big difference\u2019 between Max Verstappen and Kimi Antonelli<\/p><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/xpb_1442375_hires.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Max Verstappen and Kimi Antonelli\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  News 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src=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/si202610040313_hires_jpeg_24bit_rgb.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Max Verstappen suffered issues on the formation lap at the Bahrain Grand Prix \" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>George Russell on bad luck as F1 title hopes fade: &#8220;You&#8217;ve got to laugh&#8221;<\/p><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/xpb_1442253_hires.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"George Russell\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Toto Wolff &#8220;massively annoyed&#8221; as he reveals cause of George Russell DNF<\/p><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/xpb_1436120_hires.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Toto Wolff\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"col second-column\">\n<div class=\"sticky\">\n<div class=\"component-card-default block block-configurable-views-block\">\n<h2>Latest News<\/h2>\n<div class=\"component-blocks-view grid-view js-view-dom-id-49214f0abf4d36952ea00ca7152116f3151bc1ab1816d3f60ebcc4fdeaca6fd3\">\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>F1 2026 Singapore Grand Prix: Start time and full weekend schedule<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1791529800\"> 5m ago<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/xpb_1377357_hires.jpg?height=270&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 270w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/xpb_1377357_hires.jpg?height=180&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 180w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/xpb_1377357_hires.jpg?height=90&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 90w\" sizes=\"100px\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Lewis Hamilton details \u201cinsane\u201d Ferrari F40 journey in new video<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1791473226\"> 15h ago<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-09\/xpb_1431907_hires_0.jpg?height=270&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 270w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-09\/xpb_1431907_hires_0.jpg?height=180&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 180w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-09\/xpb_1431907_hires_0.jpg?height=90&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 90w\" sizes=\"100px\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Valtteri Bottas\u2019 \u2018mind started to play games\u2019 in mammoth Singapore bike ride<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1791471645\"> 16h ago<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/xpb_1440193_hires.jpg?height=270&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 270w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/xpb_1440193_hires.jpg?height=180&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 180w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/xpb_1440193_hires.jpg?height=90&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 90w\" sizes=\"100px\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>F1 drivers want cooling vests banned as Max Verstappen claims \u201cI don\u2019t need it\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1791470462\"> 16h ago<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/xpb_1442759_hires.jpg?height=270&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 270w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/xpb_1442759_hires.jpg?height=180&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 180w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/xpb_1442759_hires.jpg?height=90&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 90w\" sizes=\"100px\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>George Russell pushed for &#8220;no-brainer&#8221; divided Mercedes F1 car strategy<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1791466538\"> 17h ago<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/xpb_1442717_hires.jpg?height=270&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 270w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/xpb_1442717_hires.jpg?height=180&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 180w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/xpb_1442717_hires.jpg?height=90&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 90w\" sizes=\"100px\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"main-lists block block-campaign-monitor\">\n<h2>Sign up for the Crash F1 Newsletter<\/h2>\n<div class=\"extra-info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-legal\" id=\"edit-legal\">\n<p>Your information will be used in accordance with our Privacy Policy.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"component-card-default block block-configurable-views-block\">\n<h2>More News<\/h2>\n<div class=\"component-blocks-view grid-view js-view-dom-id-86292447bf0286d660a5c8cf80c897cfbef8caf372eb51ec21aa6c95e939c5f4\">\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Lewis Hamilton hits back at Ferrari critics after strategy blunder: \u201cMcLaren made the same mistake\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1791464228\"> 18h ago<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/xpb_1442608_hires.jpg?height=270&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 270w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/xpb_1442608_hires.jpg?height=180&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 180w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/xpb_1442608_hires.jpg?height=90&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 90w\" sizes=\"100px\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Esteban Ocon\u2019s most likely 2027 destination after F1 exit<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1791461303\"> 19h ago<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/xpb_1442638_hires.jpg?height=270&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 270w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/xpb_1442638_hires.jpg?height=180&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 180w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/xpb_1442638_hires.jpg?height=90&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 90w\" sizes=\"100px\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Lando Norris hopeful McLaren has found fix for mystery car speed loss<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1791456946\"> 20h ago<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/xpb_1442673_hires.jpg?height=270&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 270w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/xpb_1442673_hires.jpg?height=180&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 180w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/xpb_1442673_hires.jpg?height=90&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 90w\" sizes=\"100px\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Fernando Alonso shuts down Dakar Rally return \u201crumours\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1791454128\"> 21h ago<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/xpb_1441329_hires.jpg?height=270&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 270w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/xpb_1441329_hires.jpg?height=180&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 180w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/xpb_1441329_hires.jpg?height=90&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 90w\" sizes=\"100px\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Williams launches \u00a31m legal action after historic F1 car goes missing<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1791449833\"> 22h ago<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/xpb_2387_hires.jpg?height=270&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 270w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/xpb_2387_hires.jpg?height=180&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 180w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/xpb_2387_hires.jpg?height=90&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 90w\" sizes=\"100px\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"summary body\">\n<p>George Russell says it was his idea for Mercedes to carry out a back-to-back comparison test in Singapore.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"body\">\n<p>George Russell has revealed he initially suggested that Mercedes should run a back-to-back comparison between its old and latest Formula 1 specifications to test whether its new upgrade works.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Mercedes deployed its first major car upgrade to the W17 since the end of May at last weekend\u2019s Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, but the team did not find the competitive gains it expected.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>After a difficult weekend at Sepang, Mercedes confirmed it would run a drastic split-specification comparison test in Singapore, with Russell running the older-spec aero package, and Andrea Kimi Antonelli using the latest version.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>According to Russell, who will start from towards the back of the grid due to an engine penalty after suffering a heartbreaking late power unit failure in Malaysia, he first instigated the idea last weekend.\u00a0<\/p>\n<figure> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/xpb_1442523_hires.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp 1920w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/xpb_1442523_hires.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp 1800w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/xpb_1442523_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp 1600w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/xpb_1442523_hires.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp 1500w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/xpb_1442523_hires.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp 1200w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/xpb_1442523_hires.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp 900w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/xpb_1442523_hires.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp 800w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/xpb_1442523_hires.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp 600w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/xpb_1442523_hires.jpg?width=400&amp;format=webp 400w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 710px, (min-width:768px) 62vw, 97vw\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><figcaption>\n<div>Russell and Antonelli will run split car specifications for Mercedes<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>&#8220;Actually I instigated the conversation prior to the race on Sunday,\u201d Russell told reports in Singapore, as quoted by Motorsport.com.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;When the failure happened it was kind of a no-brainer, because we were kind of 50-50 about it pre-race, and I was more in favour to do it, and that was even pre-race, whereas now it is a total no-brainer.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;There&#8217;s no signs telling us the upgrade was not working, and we know the car we had in Baku was the same car as we had in Budapest and Zandvoort, and in Baku we were on pole by eight tenths, and in Budapest we were four tenths off the pace.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Those fluctuations, even with a consistent car and your rivals with the same car, are drastic, you have a fluctuation of plus or minus one second, it can be that delta, so we&#8217;re pretty confident it&#8217;s a Malaysia specific.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;When you look at the pace of Red Bull as well, they clearly overperformed compared to where they&#8217;ve been this season, compared to all of the other teams. When you look at our pace compared to McLaren and Ferrari, it wasn&#8217;t too dissimilar, it wasn&#8217;t massively out of step.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<figure> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/xpb_1442253_hires.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp 1920w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/xpb_1442253_hires.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp 1800w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/xpb_1442253_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp 1600w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/xpb_1442253_hires.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp 1500w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/xpb_1442253_hires.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp 1200w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/xpb_1442253_hires.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp 900w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/xpb_1442253_hires.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp 800w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/xpb_1442253_hires.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp 600w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/xpb_1442253_hires.jpg?width=400&amp;format=webp 400w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 710px, (min-width:768px) 62vw, 97vw\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><figcaption>\n<div>Russell retired five laps from the end in Malaysia<\/div>\n<div class=\"source\"> \u00a9\u00a0XPB Images<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&#8220;This engine penalty this weekend has given us a good opportunity to roll back, it&#8217;s the car that I won in Baku with.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Antonelli, who leads the championship by 84 points from Russell, believes the upgrade is an improvement but that any performance gains were masked by Sepang being an \u201coutlier\u201d track for Mercedes.\u00a0<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article\">\n<h2>Read Also<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-9aa76867f32143f3a30584c3d6dcfae7ec6d0b2fa67ed4346ea0b79e4291df1d\">\n<div class=\"item-list\">\n<ul>\n<li>F1 drivers want cooling vests banned as Max Verstappen claims \u201cI don\u2019t need it\u201d<\/li>\n<li>Mercedes reveals Singapore split car plan amid F1 upgrade confusion<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>&#8220;The numbers told us a different story in Sepang, but I think in Sepang, it was a bit of an outlier because the tarmac was just so rough. Actually, in some corners, we were missing tarmac,\u201d the 20-year-old Italian said.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Also, it was so hot; at times we had 60-plus degrees track temperature. So I think it was a bit of an outlier and definitely I feel like this weekend is going to be a bit more representative.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>&#8220;You know, cooler temperatures, the tarmac is in a much better state. And I think it&#8217;s going to be a very good test because in Sepang, we struggled a lot in low speed and here we have a lot of low speed. So let&#8217;s see how it&#8217;s going to be.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We&#8217;ll have two different cars on two different packages. So that is going to be interesting to see how we&#8217;re going to have a straight comparison on that side.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I think there&#8217;s an actual improvement [with the new package], it&#8217;s just we didn&#8217;t quite see it in Sepang. That&#8217;s why it was such an outlier.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Hopefully this weekend, we&#8217;ll be able to understand it more and to put the car in a better place and be able to use its full potential.&#8221;<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block block-campaign-monitor\">\n<h2>Sign up for the Crash F1 Newsletter<\/h2>\n<div class=\"extra-info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-legal\" id=\"edit-legal--2\">\n<p>Your information will be used in accordance with our Privacy Policy.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"body\">\n<p>George Russell has revealed he initially suggested that Mercedes should run a back-to-back comparison between its old and latest Formula 1 specifications to test whether its new upgrade works.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Mercedes deployed its first major car upgrade to the W17 since the end of May at last weekend\u2019s Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, but the team did not find the competitive gains it expected.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>After a difficult weekend at Sepang, Mercedes confirmed it would run a drastic split-specification comparison test in Singapore, with Russell running the older-spec aero package, and Andrea Kimi Antonelli using the latest version.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>According to Russell, who will start from towards the back of the grid due to an engine penalty after suffering a heartbreaking late power unit failure in Malaysia, he first instigated the idea last weekend.\u00a0<\/p>\n<figure> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/xpb_1442523_hires.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp 1920w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/xpb_1442523_hires.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp 1800w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/xpb_1442523_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp 1600w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/xpb_1442523_hires.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp 1500w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/xpb_1442523_hires.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp 1200w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/xpb_1442523_hires.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp 900w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/xpb_1442523_hires.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp 800w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/xpb_1442523_hires.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp 600w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/xpb_1442523_hires.jpg?width=400&amp;format=webp 400w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 710px, (min-width:768px) 62vw, 97vw\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><figcaption>\n<div>Russell and Antonelli will run split car specifications for Mercedes<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>&#8220;Actually I instigated the conversation prior to the race on Sunday,\u201d Russell told reports in Singapore, as quoted by Motorsport.com.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;When the failure happened it was kind of a no-brainer, because we were kind of 50-50 about it pre-race, and I was more in favour to do it, and that was even pre-race, whereas now it is a total no-brainer.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;There&#8217;s no signs telling us the upgrade was not working, and we know the car we had in Baku was the same car as we had in Budapest and Zandvoort, and in Baku we were on pole by eight tenths, and in Budapest we were four tenths off the pace.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Those fluctuations, even with a consistent car and your rivals with the same car, are drastic, you have a fluctuation of plus or minus one second, it can be that delta, so we&#8217;re pretty confident it&#8217;s a Malaysia specific.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;When you look at the pace of Red Bull as well, they clearly overperformed compared to where they&#8217;ve been this season, compared to all of the other teams. When you look at our pace compared to McLaren and Ferrari, it wasn&#8217;t too dissimilar, it wasn&#8217;t massively out of step.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<figure> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/xpb_1442253_hires.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp 1920w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/xpb_1442253_hires.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp 1800w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/xpb_1442253_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp 1600w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/xpb_1442253_hires.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp 1500w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/xpb_1442253_hires.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp 1200w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/xpb_1442253_hires.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp 900w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/xpb_1442253_hires.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp 800w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/xpb_1442253_hires.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp 600w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/xpb_1442253_hires.jpg?width=400&amp;format=webp 400w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 710px, (min-width:768px) 62vw, 97vw\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><figcaption>\n<div>Russell retired five laps from the end in Malaysia<\/div>\n<div class=\"source\"> \u00a9\u00a0XPB Images<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&#8220;This engine penalty this weekend has given us a good opportunity to roll back, it&#8217;s the car that I won in Baku with.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Antonelli, who leads the championship by 84 points from Russell, believes the upgrade is an improvement but that any performance gains were masked by Sepang being an \u201coutlier\u201d track for Mercedes.\u00a0<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article\">\n<h2>Read Also<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-9aa76867f32143f3a30584c3d6dcfae7ec6d0b2fa67ed4346ea0b79e4291df1d\">\n<div class=\"item-list\">\n<ul>\n<li>F1 drivers want cooling vests banned as Max Verstappen claims \u201cI don\u2019t need it\u201d<\/li>\n<li>Mercedes reveals Singapore split car plan amid F1 upgrade confusion<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>&#8220;The numbers told us a different story in Sepang, but I think in Sepang, it was a bit of an outlier because the tarmac was just so rough. Actually, in some corners, we were missing tarmac,\u201d the 20-year-old Italian said.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Also, it was so hot; at times we had 60-plus degrees track temperature. So I think it was a bit of an outlier and definitely I feel like this weekend is going to be a bit more representative.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>&#8220;You know, cooler temperatures, the tarmac is in a much better state. And I think it&#8217;s going to be a very good test because in Sepang, we struggled a lot in low speed and here we have a lot of low speed. So let&#8217;s see how it&#8217;s going to be.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We&#8217;ll have two different cars on two different packages. So that is going to be interesting to see how we&#8217;re going to have a straight comparison on that side.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I think there&#8217;s an actual improvement [with the new package], it&#8217;s just we didn&#8217;t quite see it in Sepang. That&#8217;s why it was such an outlier.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Hopefully this weekend, we&#8217;ll be able to understand it more and to put the car in a better place and be able to use its full potential.&#8221;<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block block-campaign-monitor\">\n<h2>Sign up for the Crash F1 Newsletter<\/h2>\n<div class=\"extra-info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-legal\" id=\"edit-legal--2\">\n<p>Your information will be used in accordance with our Privacy Policy.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;http:\/\/crash.net\/f1\/news\/1106623\/1\/george-russell-pushed-no-brainer-divided-mercedes-f1-car-strategy&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-10\/xpb_1442717_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9&#8243;] George Russell pushed for &#8220;no-brainer&#8221; divided Mercedes F1 car strategy George Russell says it was his idea for Mercedes to carry out a back-to-back comparison test in Singapore. Lewis Larkam 08 Oct 2026 Share George Russell will serve a grid penalty in Singapore Prefer Crash.Net on Google See our stories more often [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[47,226],"class_list":["post-2187035","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crash-net","tag-crawlmanager"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2187035","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2187035"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2187035\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2187035"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2187035"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2187035"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}