Russell handed five-place grid penalty for Brazilian Grand Prix

George Russell has been handed a five-place grid penalty for the Brazilian Grand Prix after Mercedes replaced his internal combustion engine with a sixth unit. He will be moved back five places on the starting grid.

Russell said he would have had to take another penalty at some point between the Singapore Grand Prix, where he had already received one, and the end of the season. Mercedes felt Brazil was a good time to do it, he said.

The engine change does not mean Mercedes has introduced its long-awaited ADUO upgrade; that upgrade is not ready for the Brazilian race weekend.

Russell pointed to Brazil’s overtaking opportunities, recalling that Lewis Hamilton had taken a large grid penalty there several years ago and done well. Five places did not seem too severe, Russell said, and Mercedes would try to move forward.