Brazil GP F1: Russell takes five-place engine penalty
The newsroomUpdated on November 7, 20263 minGeorge Russell (Mercedes) drops five places on the grid for the Brazilian GP at Interlagos after a sixth combustion engine; Mercedes chose this track on purpose.
Key point
Mercedes fits a sixth combustion engine to George Russell's car: a five-place grid penalty at the Brazilian GP, a deliberate choice for Interlagos.
George Russell will start five places lower on the grid of the Formula 1 Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos. Mercedes has confirmed it fitted a sixth combustion engine to his car, which triggers a five-place grid penalty.
Why the penalty?
Each driver has an allowance of four combustion engines per season. Russell had already exceeded it at the Singapore GP. Two power unit problems earlier in the year meant he would have needed an extra element before the end of the championship anyway. Under F1's cost-containment rules, exceeding the allocation of any power unit element automatically brings a grid penalty.
The change covers the V6 block and its internal mechanical parts: cylinder heads, pistons, crankshaft and valvetrain. The turbo and the electrical units can be kept.
A tactical choice for Interlagos
Russell had to take this penalty at some point between Singapore and the end of the season. Mercedes believes Interlagos is a good place to do it, because the track allows overtaking. The team has a precedent in mind: in 2021, Lewis Hamilton started 10th at Interlagos after a bigger penalty, then beat Max Verstappen on lap 59 to win. In the sprint he had already climbed from 20th to fifth.
Russell himself plays it down: five places is not that bad in his view.
A tough season for Russell
Russell, 28, is fourth in the championship, behind Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton. His team-mate Kimi Antonelli has already secured the world title. The British driver says the 2026 power unit rules have worked against his driving style and that he needed a long time to adapt. On Thursday he said he felt a bit exhausted from constantly picking himself back up this season.
Next season brings a reduced share of electric power and revised tyres, which Russell sees as a chance to reset.
What to watch
Qualifying will set the grid; Russell then drops five places from his position. On Sunday, the recovery will depend on the Mercedes' pace and the first lap.
The editorial team
Frequently asked questions
Why is Russell penalised at the Brazilian GP?
Mercedes fitted a sixth combustion engine, against an allowance of four. Exceeding it automatically triggers a grid penalty.
How many places does Russell lose?
Five places on the starting grid of the Brazilian GP at Interlagos.
Why did Mercedes pick Interlagos?
The team sees the track as a good place to recover after a grid drop, as Lewis Hamilton did in 2021.
Sources
Written by the Karrazmotorsport newsroom, proofread before publication. For settings, always refer to your vehicle's manual. Our charter.
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