George Russell to take Singapore GP grid penalty after Sepang engine failure as haze hits unhealthy levels
Mercedes confirm Russell will start the Singapore GP from the back after his Sepang engine failure, while haze pushed Singapore's PSI into the unhealthy range.
George Russell's title hopes have taken another hit before a wheel has turned in Singapore. Mercedes have confirmed the Briton will take a grid penalty for Sunday's Singapore Grand Prix after the power unit failure that ended his race at Sepang, meaning last year's Marina Bay winner will start at or near the back.
At the same time, organisers are keeping a close eye on the air. Haze drifting from fires in Indonesia pushed Singapore's Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) into the "unhealthy" range across the island on Tuesday (6 October), three days before practice begins.
Why Russell is going to the back
Russell was running third at Sepang when his engine failed on lap 50, under a safety car, and he pulled over near Turn 1. Team-mate Kimi Antonelli went on to finish second, so instead of losing a few points to his rival, Russell lost 18.
Mercedes had hoped to delay fitting new engine components until an upgraded unit arrived later in the season. Russell had previously argued there was no point taking a penalty early only to take another later. The damage at Sepang removed that option, as he has used up his allocation and Mercedes must fit fresh parts.
The penalty applies to the Grand Prix only, so Russell can still race normally in the Sprint on Saturday. Mercedes are expected to confirm exactly which elements are being changed before Friday's practice session.
A tough track to recover on
Russell trails Antonelli by 84 points, and the timing could hardly be worse. Marina Bay is narrow and overtaking is difficult, which makes a recovery drive much harder than at most circuits.
There is a recent precedent for a strong comeback, though. Antonelli converted a grid penalty into victory at Monza earlier this season, passing Russell late in that race. The earliest Antonelli can now clinch the championship is the United States Grand Prix in Austin on 25 October.
Russell won last year's Singapore race from pole, with Antonelli fifth.
Haze in the 'unhealthy' band
Singapore's National Environment Agency (NEA) said scattered hotspots had been detected in both Sumatra and Kalimantan, with dry weather across the region allowing smoke to persist and be carried by prevailing winds. PSI readings on Tuesday were reported between roughly 101 and 135 across Singapore, above the 100 mark where the unhealthy band begins.
A Singapore GP spokesperson said haze protocols had been prepared with government agencies and other stakeholders, and the government's Haze Task Force will decide on any measures based on PSI and PM2.5 levels. No changes to the schedule had been announced.
The NEA's guidance at these levels is for healthy people to cut back on prolonged or strenuous outdoor exertion, a notable point for drivers at one of the most physically demanding races of the year. The race went ahead in 2019 despite similar conditions.
Schedule in Malaysian time
Singapore and Malaysia share the same time zone, so local session times apply directly for fans watching from home or making the trip south:
- Friday 9 October: Practice 4.30pm, Sprint Qualifying 8.30pm
- Saturday 10 October: Sprint 5pm, Qualifying 9pm
- Sunday 11 October: Grand Prix 8pm
This is the final Sprint weekend of the season, so teams get only one hour of practice before Sprint Qualifying.
Key takeaways
- Russell will take an engine penalty for the Singapore Grand Prix after his Sepang failure, but can race normally in the Sprint.
- He is 84 points behind Mercedes team-mate Antonelli, who could clinch the title as early as Austin on 25 October.
- Haze from Indonesian hotspots pushed Singapore's PSI into the unhealthy range on Tuesday.
- Organisers say haze protocols are in place; no schedule change has been announced.
FAQ
Why does George Russell have a grid penalty in Singapore? His power unit failed at Sepang and he has used his allocation of engine components, so Mercedes must fit new parts, which brings an automatic penalty.
Will the haze affect the Singapore Grand Prix? No changes had been announced as of Tuesday. Organisers say haze protocols are ready and the government's Haze Task Force will decide on any measures.
What time is the Singapore Grand Prix in Malaysia? The race starts at 8pm Malaysian time on Sunday, 11 October. The Sprint is at 5pm on Saturday.
Sources: Motorsport Week, Crash.net, Grande Premio, GPFans, Formula1.com