Russell set for back-of-grid start at 2026 Singapore Grand Prix
George Russell will start the Singapore Grand Prix from the back of the grid after Mercedes confirmed he will take a new power unit following his failure at Sepang.
The Briton stopped behind the safety car after a power unit problem, his second such failure of the season after the Canadian Grand Prix. The replacement brings forward a penalty that Mercedes had expected Russell to take later in the campaign, when the team introduced its ADUO-boosted engine upgrade. The timing of that earlier plan was still open; Mercedes had been considering when to use the power-unit penalty.
Upgrade choice remains unresolved
A Mercedes spokesperson confirmed to RacingNews365 that Russell will use a new power unit in Singapore and receive a back-of-the-grid penalty. It has not yet been confirmed whether the unit will be the current specification or the ADUO-boosted version.
That decision could determine whether Russell faces one penalty or two. If Mercedes adds the upgraded engine to his pool now, the team would avoid a separate back-of-the-grid start for the older-specification unit followed by another penalty when the ADUO upgrade is introduced. For now, the specification remains uncertain.
The penalty applies to Sundayâs Grand Prix, not the Sprint. Russell will start the Sprint according to his qualifying position, subject to any penalties imposed during the weekend on him or other drivers.
Antonelliâs points opportunity
Russellâs team-mate Kimi Antonelli also took a fresh set of components at the Italian Grand Prix, then climbed from 19th on the grid to win. Singapore presents a different challenge: overtaking on the streets of Marina Bay is described as far tougher, making Russellâs starting position a significant handicap.
The failure at Sepang, alongside Antonelliâs 18-point haul for second place, widened the gap between the Mercedes drivers to 84 points. Antonelli cannot clinch the title in Singapore, with 150 points remaining after the weekend. But a maximum 33-point weekendâthrough victories in both the Sprint and Grand Prixâcombined with no points for Russell would put the Italian in position to be crowned champion at the United States Grand Prix in Austin.
Russellâs immediate task is therefore to limit the damage from a penalty that Mercedes had anticipated taking later in the season. Whether the team can combine that cost with the ADUO upgrade remains the unresolved question heading into Singapore.
Simone Scanu
Heâs a software engineer with a deep passion for Formula 1 and motorsport. He co-founded Formula Live Pulse to make live telemetry and race insights accessible, visual, and easy to follow.