Singapore GP 2026: Russell back-row start confirmed

George Russell will start from the back for the 2026 Singapore Grand Prix after a power-unit penalty linked to his Sepang retirement was confirmed.

George Russell will start from the back of the grid for the 2026 Singapore Grand Prix after a power-unit penalty linked to his Sepang retirement was confirmed. BBC Sport and Formula1.com both reported that the Mercedes driver is set to line up at the rear for Sunday’s race.

Autosport reported that the penalty followed Russell’s retirement in Sepang, where he had been running third under the Safety Car before stopping at Turn 1 with five laps remaining because of a power-unit problem. Motorsport.com also reported that Toto Wolff confirmed the engine penalty.

Russell heads into the weekend second in the 2026 drivers’ championship on 236 points. The British driver, born on 15 February 1998, has made 161 Formula 1 starts and taken seven wins, while Mercedes is in its 19th Formula 1 season with 138 victories and eight titles.