(PRIMASPORT) SINGAPORE George Russell will serve a grid penalty for the Singapore Formula 1 Grand Prix due to an early engine change on his Mercedes. The engine change became necessary after he retired in the closing stages of the Malaysian Grand Prix, and the early change will mean the British driver will start from last place in Sunday's race, although he will maintain his position in Saturday's Sprint.
This penalty was expected but has now been made official, reducing Russell's chances of making up ground in the championship on leader Kimi Antonelli, who leads the Briton by 84 points with seven races remaining in the Formula 1 world championship.
The new engine was initially expected to be fitted later in the calendar, coinciding with an update planned by Mercedes in its Aduo programme, however the damage sustained in Malaysia forced the team to bring forward the work to the Singapore Grand Prix. (PRIMASPORT)
