Russell expects another grid penalty this season

ANP/RTR reported on 6 October that Mercedes had confirmed Russell needed a fifth power unit this season, exceeding the limit of four. The resulting grid penalty is expected to send the British driver to the back for Sunday’s race. [1]

Russell retired from the previous Sunday’s race after his engine failed while he was running third, the report said. [1]

Russell is second in the championship, 84 points behind Mercedes team-mate and championship leader Kimi Antonelli, according to ANP/RTR. [1]

Update

George Russell says he expects to take another grid penalty later this season when a planned engine upgrade is ready. That would be separate from the penalty that will put him at the back of the grid for Sunday’s Singapore Grand Prix. [2]

Russell needs a new engine in Singapore, taking him beyond his permitted number for the season. With seven races remaining, he said trying to make an engine last that long would be a gamble and could cost performance as it degrades. He expects to accept another penalty instead. The timing of the planned upgrade and any resulting grid penalty has not been fixed. [2]