Portugal Colonial - Relieved Russell says Mercedes have solved his power problems mystery

Speaking to reporters ahead of this weekend's Hungarian Grand Prix, Russell said the team had found something that was "embedded in the calibration" of a code in his car's power unit management that had resulted in him losing speed.

The problem undermined him at last Sunday's Belgian Grand Prix where he lost power on the opening lap and collided with former team-mate seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton of Ferrari.

Antonelli went on to win the race and move 50 points clear of Russell, now in third place, in the drivers' championship while Hamilton battled on to finish fourth and move into second, 45 points behind the Italian teenager.

"There was just something deeply embedded in the calibration of the code," said Russell. "I mean, it's almost impossible to see unless you knew exactly what to look for.

"So, I'm glad we have found it. Of course, it's frustrating, but I'm just looking forward now and that's how the game goes."

He added: "Really, it's just numbers on a computer screen and it has been infinitely harder for the team to understand, with these new regs and some different regulation changes and less sensors in certain places."

- Hybrid era -

F1's new 'hybrid era' racing has this year introduced power units split 50-50 between battery power and combustion engine, requiring careful AI-assisted computer software controlled re-charging of the battery during racing.

It has changed the nature of the driving, leaving many competitors upset and frustrated.

Speaking in Belgium, McLaren's Oscar Piastri said: "You know, when you've got qualifying grids decided by computers behaving or misbehaving, it's a pretty crap way of going racing."

Russell was in a more buoyant mood than when he departed Spa-Francorchamps after an expletive-laden rant that his exit was 'unacceptable'.

He pointed out that he remained closer to Antonelli now than he was in early June when the gap was 68 points after the Monaco race.

After 10 races, there are 12 more to come this year starting with Sunday's Hungarian contest.

Russell said also that his experiences this year had made him feel "the most resilient I've ever been in my life" and added that the team stood by him and vice-versa.

He dismissed talk of a rift with Antonelli or any favouritism towards the teenager, posting on social media a photograph of them together on a private jet flying to Budapest.

"I think it's nonsense," he said of preferential treatment for the Italian.

"Kimi isn't given preferential treatment. I know the truth and how much I am valued in the team. And (Mercedes team chief) Toto (Wolff) doesn't have a favourite."

Pre-season title favourite Russell has won two races this year compared to Antonelli's six. He has 154 points, Hamilton has 159 and Antonelli leads on 204.

Nogueira--PC