Archive · 6 Oct 2026
Russell Faces Singapore Grid Penalty After Power Unit Failure
George Russell’s car had a power unit problem during the recent race.
The problem made him stop racing while he was in third place.
Mercedes plans to give him a new power unit at the Singapore Grand Prix.
Drivers are allowed only four power units in a season, so using another one means Russell is expected to start at the back.
Mercedes had first planned for him to take this penalty at a later race in Austin.
The team is still investigating what caused the failure.
Russell is 84 points behind his teammate Kimi Antonelli in the championship.
There are seven races left, so this setback makes it harder for Russell to catch up.
George Russell is expected to start the Singapore Grand Prix from the back of the grid after taking a new power unit.
The replacement would put Russell over the season limit of four power units, according to the report.
The power unit failure forced Russell to retire from third place late in the recent race described in the article as the Bahrain GP in Malaysia.
Mercedes had initially planned for Russell to take the penalty at the United States Grand Prix in Austin.
Russell is now 84 points behind teammate and championship leader Kimi Antonelli, with seven rounds remaining.
- Who
- George Russell and Mercedes.
- What
- Russell is expected to receive a grid penalty and start the Singapore Grand Prix from the back after taking a new power unit.
- When
- The Singapore Grand Prix is upcoming; the article does not give its date.
- Where
- The Marina Bay Street Circuit in Singapore.
- Why
- The new power unit would take Russell beyond the permitted seasonal limit of four.
Original penalty plan
Revised penalty plan
When Russell would take the penalty
Original penalty plan
Mercedes had initially planned for Russell to take the penalty at the United States Grand Prix in Austin, alongside a planned W17 upgrade.
Revised penalty plan
The report says Russell is now set to take a new power unit in Singapore, which would leave him starting from the back there.
- Expected starting position
- Back of the grid at the Singapore Grand Prix
- Power unit limit
- Four power units per season
- Russell's championship deficit
- 84 points behind Kimi Antonelli
- Rounds remaining
- Seven
- Initial penalty plan
- The United States Grand Prix in Austin
- Cause under investigation
- Mercedes said an initial inspection indicated a mechanical failure on the power unit side.