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George Russell to start from back of grid in Singapore
Mercedes driver George Russell will start from the back of the grid at the Singapore Grand Prix following a mandatory power unit change. The decision follows a mechanical failure during the Malaysian Grand Prix at Sepang, where Russell retired from third place while running near the end of the race.
This engine penalty significantly impacts Russell’s championship aspirations. He currently trails his Mercedes teammate, Kimi Antonelli, by 84 points in the drivers' standings. The penalty will apply to Sunday’s main race, though Russell remains eligible to compete in Saturday’s Sprint race without the grid drop.
Mercedes is considering accelerating its upgrade program by installing a new engine specification in Singapore rather than waiting for the United States Grand Prix. This move could allow the team to absorb the penalty while providing Russell with the most competitive package available. However, the Marina Bay street circuit is notoriously difficult for overtaking, making a recovery from the back of the field a major challenge.
Entities
George Russell · Kimi Antonelli · Lewis Hamilton · Marina Bay Circuit · Marina Bay Street Circuit · Mercedes · Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team · Sepang · Singapore Grand Prix · Toto Wolff