Singapore GP 2026: Russell to start from the back

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

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. BBC Sport reported that Russell was set to take a further grid penalty this season, and Autosport reported that Mercedes confirmed the Singapore sanction.

According to Autosport, the Mercedes driver retired in Sepang with five laps remaining after stopping at Turn 1 while running third under the safety car. That power-unit issue carries into Marina Bay this weekend.

Russell heads to Singapore second in the drivers' championship on 236 points. The British driver, who has made 161 Formula 1 starts and taken seven wins, faces a recovery drive on a circuit Motorsport.com noted is not ideal for coming through the field, while RaceFans reported that he is aiming to limit the damage from the back.