Sports · Motorsport · 11 hrs ago
Wolff says overtaking limits left Russell stuck at the back in Singapore
Mercedes driver George Russell started the Singapore Grand Prix from 19th after new engine and electronic components brought a 60-place grid penalty.
The replacements followed an engine failure at the previous race in Sepang.
Russell made several early passes but then became stuck behind cars on the tight Marina Bay street circuit.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff said cars lose too much performance in the disturbed air behind rivals for overtaking to be easy there.
Russell’s teammate Andrea Kimi Antonelli finished third, helping show that Mercedes’ recently revised floor and wings were working as intended.
The team is due to head to the United States Grand Prix with six races left in the season.
George Russell started 19th at the 2026 Singapore Grand Prix after a 60-place grid penalty for Mercedes power-unit changes.
He made several overtakes early but became stuck in the midfield, with team principal Toto Wolff saying the circuit made passing extremely difficult.
Wolff said even a car running a second or a second and a half off the pace could be impossible to overtake.
Russell’s team-mate Andrea Kimi Antonelli finished on the podium after starting fourth.
Antonelli’s result also gave Mercedes evidence that its aerodynamic upgrades were working as intended.
- Who
- George Russell and Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff.
- What
- Wolff said overtaking limits at the Singapore Grand Prix left Russell unable to make further progress through the pack.
- When
- At the 2026 Singapore Grand Prix.
- Where
- The Marina Bay street circuit in Singapore.
- Why
- Russell started 19th after a 60-place grid penalty, and Wolff said the circuit’s layout and dirty air made overtaking difficult.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Yeah, it's so difficult to overtake. I mean, he pulled off some really great moves. But then at the end, it's just converging with the performance. And even a car that is a second or second and a half off the pace, you just can't overtake.
Yeah, it was a difficult race,
Russell suffered an engine failure.
Mercedes fitted Russell’s car with new internal combustion components, an Energy Store and Control Electronics Unit, resulting in a 60-place grid penalty.
Russell started 19th and made several overtakes before getting stuck in the midfield.
Antonelli started fourth and finished on the podium.
- Russell’s starting position
- 19th
- Grid penalty
- 60 places
- Penalty-triggering changes
- New internal combustion components, Energy Store and Control Electronics Unit
- Antonelli’s starting position
- Fourth
- Antonelli’s result
- Podium finish
Sources
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