Another grid penalty looms: Russell eyes Las Vegas for engine change
Mercedes is bringing an engine upgrade that will trigger fresh penalties for both drivers. George Russell wants to take his at a track where overtaking is easier – "maybe Las Vegas".
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George Russell is facing another grid penalty. He already started from the back in Singapore after a new engine took him beyond his permitted allocation of power unit components, a change made necessary by an engine failure at the race in Malaysia. According to Formel1.de, he could in theory run the Singapore power unit until the end of the season. But Mercedes is planning an engine upgrade in the coming weeks that will require another change and therefore another grid penalty.
"It will probably be later in the season now to be honest - maybe Las Vegas. But it will be there at some point," Russell said, according to Crash.net. This time Mercedes can choose where to take the penalty and wants to pick tracks where overtaking is slightly easier. The Las Vegas Grand Prix takes place from 20 to 22 November. Championship leader Andrea Kimi Antonelli will also get a new engine and a penalty with the upgrade; according to Formel1.de, Mercedes is unlikely to send both drivers to the back in the same race.
For now Mercedes is focusing on the chassis: according to Mercedes team representative Bradley Lord, both cars will start in Austin with the upgrade introduced in Malaysia and a new front wing. Russell is second in the standings on 238 points, 102 behind Antonelli (340). "The goal right now is to try to improve the car," he said, according to Crash.net.