George Russell will start Sunday’s 2026 Singapore Grand Prix from the back of the grid after Mercedes introduced several new power unit elements that exceed his permitted seasonal allocation. The penalty has now been officially confirmed and applies only to the Grand Prix, not Saturday’s Sprint.
The decision confirms what had already been expected in recent days. George Russell will use a number of new power unit components during the Marina Bay weekend, taking the Mercedes driver beyond the maximum number permitted under the Formula 1 regulations.
George Russell’s Singapore GP grid penalty confirmed
George Russell will therefore start the Grand Prix – but not the Sprint – from the rear of the field. The distinction is particularly important because Singapore is hosting a Formula 1 Sprint weekend at Marina Bay, meaning Saturday’s short race has a separate starting grid.
Mercedes has changed six power unit components on car number 63. George Russell will use his fifth internal combustion engine (ICE) of the season and his fifth turbocharger (TC), while the exhaust system, MGU-K, energy store and control electronics have also been replaced.
FIA technical delegate documents detail Mercedes changes
The changes were detailed in documentation issued by FIA Formula 1 technical delegate Jo Bauer.
The penalty leaves Mercedes facing a difficult situation at one of the most challenging circuits on the calendar. Starting from the back is particularly costly at Marina Bay, where track position traditionally carries significant importance and overtaking opportunities can be limited.
George Russell faces difficult Sunday as Kimi Antonelli leads by 84 points
George Russell already arrives in Singapore 84 points behind Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli in the Formula 1 drivers’ standings. Unless Kimi Antonelli encounters problems during the weekend, that gap could widen further as George Russell attempts to recover from the back of the Grand Prix grid.
The British driver can still compete normally in the Sprint, giving him an opportunity to score points on Saturday before facing a much more difficult task in Sunday night’s Singapore Grand Prix.
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