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Russell to start from pit lane after power unit change

Russell to start from pit lane after power unit change

02-10-2022 10:20 Last update: 12:23
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GPblog.com

George Russell will start the Singapore Grand Prix from the pit lane. The Englishman gets a completely new engine in his W13 and is therefore forced to start from that position. He didn't have much to lose considering the place where the Brit would otherwise start.

Russell qualified 11th on Saturday after missing a place in Q3 by just six thousandths of a second. He had some problems, he himself thought of a recurring problem with the brakes, but team boss Toto Woldd referred to a problem with the clutch.

Problems and no overtaking opportunities

Mercedes apparently sees the eleventh starting position, and possibly also the problems of its driver, as a reason to opt for an engine change. From P11, Russell also didn't have too much to lose in Singapore's cramped streets where overtaking is almost impossible. In the battle for second place in the constructors' championship, the engine change could turn out well. Mercedes is currently 36 points behind Ferrari.

Because the engine change took place outside the parc fermé regulations and no permission from the technical delegate of the FIA has been issued, a start is from the pit lane inevitable.