Sports · Motorsport · 1 day ago
Antonelli says Mercedes upgrade is improving as Russell reports setback
Mercedes drivers Kimi Antonelli and George Russell had different experiences in qualifying for the Singapore Grand Prix.
Antonelli said the team had identified problems with an upgrade package first introduced in Sepang and that his car felt better.
He qualified fourth, behind Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton.
Antonelli leads Russell by 89 points in the championship.
Russell said his car felt worse than it had the day before, after he crashed in the sprint race.
He was sixth quickest in the final qualifying session but is due to start Sunday’s race from the back because of an engine penalty.
Mercedes said it would use the race to gather more information about how the upgrade performs.
Kimi Antonelli said Mercedes had identified problems with its upgraded car after he qualified fourth for the Singapore Grand Prix.
George Russell said his car felt worse after his sprint-race crash, and he is due to start the race from the back because of an engine penalty.
Antonelli holds an 89-point advantage over Russell in the championship.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff said Antonelli’s updates seemed to have worked, but the team needed more evidence.
- Who
- Mercedes drivers Kimi Antonelli and George Russell, and team principal Toto Wolff.
- What
- Antonelli said Mercedes had made progress with his upgraded car, while Russell reported a setback.
- When
- Saturday, October 10, 2026; the Singapore Grand Prix race was due on Sunday.
- Where
- The Singapore Grand Prix.
- Why
- Mercedes was assessing its upgrade package, while Russell said his car no longer felt as good after his sprint-race crash.
Kimi Antonelli
George Russell
Car performance
Kimi Antonelli
Antonelli said his car felt in a better place after the team found problems with the upgrade.
George Russell
Russell said he had taken a step backwards and the car did not feel the same.
It definitely felt in a better place today, even though the window is very small where the car operates
But I’ve taken a step backwards and the car didn’t feel quite the same... It’ll be tough racing (tomorrow).
On Kimi’s side the updates seem to have worked now
Let’s see what we can do from P4 but a podium will be very good.
Mercedes first introduced the upgrade package, and Antonelli finished second.
Russell won in Baku using the older setup.
Russell crashed in the sprint, and Antonelli qualified fourth for the Singapore Grand Prix.
The Singapore Grand Prix race was scheduled to take place.
- Antonelli's qualifying position
- Fourth
- Antonelli's championship lead
- 89 points over Russell
- Russell's qualifying position
- Sixth quickest in Q3
- Russell's race start
- Due to start from the back because of an engine penalty
- Upgrade package debut
- Sepang
Sources
Related news
Verstappen wins Singapore GP as Antonelli moves closer to F1 title
McLaren tells Norris and Piastri to put team first after Singapore crash
McDowell spins Stenhouse after post-race clash at Charlotte
Larson extends NASCAR Cup lead after Charlotte as Briscoe wins again
Verstappen wins Singapore Grand Prix in floral race boots
Chase Briscoe beats Christopher Bell by 0.029 seconds at Charlotte
Leclerc drove to Singapore after his jet could not land on time
Gasly questions stewards’ decision not to penalise Norris for Piastri collision
Wolff rejects claims Mercedes is favouring Antonelli over Russell
Verstappen wins rain-delayed Singapore Sprint after Russell crashes
Russell leads Singapore’s only practice session ahead of sprint qualifying
