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George Russell · Chinese Grand Prix qualifying, Shanghai 2026

Update: Russell handed 20-place grid penalty for next race

Archive photograph: George Russell · Chinese Grand Prix qualifying, Shanghai 2026 · 2026-03-14Archive photo · 2026-03-14 · Liauzh · CC BY 4.0

FIA stewards imposed a 20-place grid penalty on George Russell for the next race he enters after recording a fourth Energy Store and fourth Control Electronics Unit as used on car 63. The decision does not give his resulting grid position.

The FIA stewards imposed a 20-place grid drop on George Russell for the next race he enters, after recording a fourth Energy Store (ES) and a fourth Control Electronics Unit (PU-CE) as used on car 63 in qualifying at the Singapore Grand Prix. The decision lists breaches of Article B8.2.2 read with B8.2.3 of the FIA F1 Regulations.

The stewards say each additional element carries 10 grid places, making 20 in total, and that car 63 will be allocated a race-grid position under Article B2.5.4b.iv. The notice does not name the race or specify Russell’s resulting grid slot. It also notes that certain steward decisions may be appealed within the applicable time limits.

This is a new report following our earlier article.

This is a new stewards' ruling on the additional power-unit elements. Link it to the earlier Russell power-unit penalty report, but do not state a combined penalty or assign a grid position not given in this notice.

Sources 02
  1. PRIMARY SOURCEDoc 79 - Infringement - Car 63 - Additional changes to PU elementsFIA F1 decision documents
  2. SOURCEGeorge Russell handed 40-place grid penalty for Singapore GPGPBeat · Earlier article; original report remains unchanged

This article was produced with AI assistance. Source references make its supporting evidence traceable.

Source context

The decision says the penalty applies to Russell's next race but does not name that race or give his eventual grid position.

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