George Russell, Mercedes driver, has confirmed that he will face a new grid penalty due to the replacement of a engine component. This time, Mercedes has decided that the best moment to do this will be during the Las Vegas race, taking advantage of the circuit’s characteristics.
After a 60-place penalty in Singapore where he replaced several elements of his engine, Russell indicated that, despite the circumstances, the team has earned the opportunity to choose when to implement this new penalty. ‘It will probably be later in the season, maybe in Las Vegas,’ the driver commented. ‘Now we have the freedom to choose the moment, and we will opt for circuits where overtakes are more feasible.’
The decision by Mercedes to take action in Las Vegas is strategic. The layout offers long straights that allow drivers to recover positions with an updated engine. The track engineering director, Andrew Shovlin, explained that the team wants to ensure both drivers have the best tools to face the final stretch of the season, while Russell continues experimenting with various components.
Thus, Mercedes’ strategy aims to avoid losing points on circuits where the starting position is vital for success, such as Austin, Mexico City, and Interlagos. Carrying out the penalty in Las Vegas will allow Russell to tackle the race with a powerful engine and optimize the chances of achieving a good qualifying despite the penalty.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
