George Russell's slow start at the Hungarian Grand Prix was a result of an engine software issue that caused the revs to go out of control. This problem, which triggered the anti-stall, was a result of a technical glitch outside the driver's control. The issue was a water leak caused by hitting a kerb, which destroyed his engine and forced Mercedes into an engine change. However, the real issue at the start was a result of the engine revs climbing well beyond the threshold, causing Russell to try to modulate his throttle input by lifting his foot almost completely off the pedal. This was a consequence of the glitch, not the cause. The telemetry data confirmed that the engine rev progression was far from linear while the five red lights were coming on. A comparison with his team-mate Kimi Antonelli highlighted the issue clearly. The engine speed climbed past 12700rpm, briefly peaking as high as 12800rpm, which is an exceptionally high value. This is why Russell tried to modulate his throttle input by lifting his foot almost completely off the pedal. However, even that was not enough to stabilise the situation. The telemetry shows that for a brief moment the engine speed dropped well below 12000rpm, only to surge back up to around 12600rpm even though Russell was applying less than 10% throttle. This problem compromised Russell's entire race and one that the team had already encountered during pre-season testing in Bahrain. The issue highlights the importance of engine software reliability and the need for drivers to hold a precise throttle position to generate the required turbo boost. It also raises questions about the team's ability to manage technical issues and the need for better communication between the team and the driver.
