George Russell will take a five-place grid penalty at this weekend’s Sao Paulo Grand Prix for use of a fresh Mercedes engine.
The Briton was always expected to take an additional grid penalty before the end of the season after the failure that stopped his car at the Bahrain GP in Malaysia, although the track for doing so had not been clear.
Russell took a fifth engine of the season, and other power unit parts, at last month’s Singapore GP, which dropped him to the back of the field there.
He will now take another fresh internal combustion engine at Interlagos, although this time that only triggers a five-place demotion.
He will therefore start Sunday’s race no higher than sixth on the grid for a race Mercedes can clinch the Constructors’ Championship.
Mercedes have confirmed there is no Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities (ADUO) element to the change, with the world championship leaders yet to introduce their one allowed upgrade this season.
Confirming the news of his penalty in a video on Mercedes’ Instagram Story, Russell said: “I mean we always had to take a grid penalty at some point.
“Obviously we took one in Singapore but from Singapore until the end of the season, we felt this was a good place to take it.
Martin Brundle believes Kimi Antonelli winning the world title could trigger an ‘overdrive’ for George Russell, or it’s ‘game over’ for the Mercedes team-mate.
“Obviously, Lewis had a big grid penalty here a number of years ago (2021) and did pretty well.
“Five places doesn’t seem that bad and we’ll try and come back through.”
Interlagos is a circuit on which overtaking is favourable, making this venue a logical one to take a grid drop. Rain also threatens the race weekend.
Russell’s championship challenge officially ended last Sunday in Mexico when team-mate Kimi Antonelli clinched 2026’s drivers’ title. Russell has slipped to fourth in the standings with four races to go this season.
Mercedes will secure the constructors’ crown if they outscore Ferrari by three or more points.
Sky Sports F1’s live Sao Paulo GP Schedule
Look back at some of the most dramatic moments to have taken place at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix
Friday November 6
3pm: Sao Paulo Grand Prix Practice One (session starts at 3.30pm)*
5.30pm: Team Bosses’ Press Conference
6.45pm: Sao Paulo Grand Prix Practice Two (session starts at 7pm)
8.15pm: The F1 Show
Saturday November 7
2.15pm: Sao Paulo Grand Prix Practice Three (session starts at 2.30pm)*
5pm: Sao Paulo Grand Prix Qualifying build-up
6pm: SAO PAULO GRAND PRIX QUALIFYING
8pm: Ted’s Qualifying Notebook
Sunday November 8
3.30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: Sao Paulo GP build-up
5pm: THE SAO PAULO GRAND PRIX*
7pm: Chequered Flag: Sao Paulo City GP reaction
8pm: Ted’s Notebook
*also on Sky Sports Main Event
Formula 1 is in Brazil for the final leg of the triple header with the Sao Paulo Grand Prix this weekend, live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports with NOW
Leave a Reply