George Russell expects to take another Mercedes power unit grid penalty later in the 2026 Formula 1 season, with the British driver identifying the Las Vegas Grand Prix as the most likely opportunity. After reliability problems in Malaysia and another power unit change that contributed to his grid setback in Singapore, Russell believes a further penalty is now effectively inevitable.
Despite recovering from 19th on the grid to finish sixth in Singapore, George Russell’s hopes of closing the gap to Mercedes team-mate Andrea Kimi Antonelli in the Drivers’ Championship have become increasingly remote. Russell is now 102 points behind the Italian with six championship rounds remaining.
George Russell expects another Mercedes engine penalty
Mercedes’ recent reliability problems have complicated Russell’s title challenge. After encountering issues in Malaysia, components of his power unit were replaced ahead of Singapore, resulting in a grid penalty that left him facing a difficult recovery race.
According to Russell, those problems are unlikely to represent the final power unit-related setback of his season.
“The Mercedes engine with ADUO? It will probably come later in the season, I think in Las Vegas,” George Russell said. “A new penalty will happen sooner or later, and this time we’ll be able to choose a circuit where overtaking is easier.”
That would give Mercedes some flexibility in deciding where to absorb the sporting cost of introducing further power unit elements. A circuit where overtaking is more achievable would potentially reduce the damage caused by starting further down the grid.
Russell’s championship recovery becomes increasingly difficult
Russell has endured a number of setbacks and reliability problems during the 2026 season and has so far been comfortably outscored by Andrea Kimi Antonelli. Even so, the British driver remains positive about Mercedes’ overall position and believes the priority should now be improving the car.
“The target now is to try to improve the car, we have clearly been the dominant team throughout the season,” George Russell said. “But looking at the last few races, Red Bull has clearly been superior to us. Even in Baku, Max was at a similar level to me.”
Mercedes may therefore face a different challenge in the closing stages of the championship. After enjoying a significant advantage for much of the year, recent Red Bull performances have suggested that the competitive order has tightened.
Second place becomes George Russell’s main championship target
Russell currently sits second in the Drivers’ Championship with 238 points. He holds a nine-point advantage over Lewis Hamilton, while Max Verstappen trails him by 17 points and Charles Leclerc by 23.
With catching Andrea Kimi Antonelli now appearing increasingly difficult, defending second place in the championship is likely to become Russell’s main objective over the remaining races.
A further engine penalty would make that task more complicated, but Mercedes’ ability to choose a circuit where overtaking is comparatively easier could help limit the damage. If Las Vegas is selected, Russell will once again face the challenge of recovering through the field while trying to protect his championship position.
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