Singapore Grand Prix Notebook: Russell's Engine Penalty Turns the Sprint Into His Whole Weekend

George Russell’s Singapore Grand Prix weekend was effectively decided before any wheel turned. Mercedes confirmed that a power-unit failure behind the Safety Car at Sepang on October 4 means Russell will start Sunday’s race from the back of the grid, replacing the No. 63 W17 power unit. The penalty is for the Grand Prix only, while Saturday’s Sprint grid remains set by Friday’s Sprint Qualifying. Mercedes says Russell has already used four power units this season, and any additional change triggers at least a 10-place grid penalty. Team principal Toto Wolff said the challenge is starting from the back, and deputy principal Bradley Lord reported Russell radioed that the PU “started to sound funny.” The weekend runs at Marina Bay with the Sprint Qualifying on Friday and the Grand Prix on Sunday, October 11.