George Russell has to cope with another setback. © ANSA / ANNICE LYN / POOL

In the world championship fight: setback for George Russell

Englishman George Russell's already vague World Cup hopes have plummeted.

07 October 2026

From: dpa

Last weekend, the Englishman had to retire his Mercedes prematurely due to an engine failure, while running in third place just a few laps from the end. As team principal Toto Wolff has now confirmed ahead of this Sunday's Singapore Grand Prix, Russell will receive a penalty for an illegal power unit change and will have to start from the back of the grid on the street circuit.

“This is particularly frustrating given his performance last weekend and the result he deservedly fought for. Unfortunately, these things are part of the sport,” Wolff said before the night race. In the World Championship standings, Russell is second, seven Grands Prix before the planned finale in Abu Dhabi, already 84 points behind his teammate and leader Kimi Antonelli of Italy.