Mercedes has confirmed that George Russell will serve an engine penalty between now and the end of the 2025 Formula 1 season, but the team has not yet decided when. The decision is part of the Brackley-based squad's strategy to manage components through a demanding remaining calendar.
Russell heads into next weekend's Italian Grand Prix 59 points behind teammate Andrea Kimi Antonelli, sitting second in the Drivers' Championship alongside former teammate Lewis Hamilton. His performance at Zandvoort last week signaled a return to form, with a Sprint Race victory and a third-place finish in the Grand Prix, albeit after letting Antonelli through on team orders.
With nearly half a season remaining, Russell still has a chance to overturn the deficit, but uncertainty looms over the season-ending Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix due to the ongoing Middle Eastern crisis. Meanwhile, Antonelli is set to take his engine penalty at his home race in Monza, with Mercedes deciding that the obligatory grid drop will occur there.
Russell may wish to avoid the same decision to preserve his chances of closing the gap, but he must also be mindful that the following race – Madrid's debut hosting of the Spanish Grand Prix – will be a trickier track to overcome such a disadvantage due to its hybrid street profile. The team's Deputy Team Principal, Bradley Lord, confirmed that it is a matter of 'when', not 'if'.
"We have not finalised where George will take his penalty, but both drivers will be affected," Lord told Mercedes' in-house Nu Silver Arrows Radio Show. He added that managing the remaining events is crucial to ensure both cars reach the end of the season with the freshest and best-performing hardware possible, balancing the risk of high-mileage components against the points cost of grid penalties.
This decision will have significant implications for the title fight, especially if Russell has to take the penalty at a track where overtaking is difficult. The team must also weigh technical risks against potential points loss, a puzzle that becomes critical amid a tight constructors' battle.
Baca Juga
Lando Norris perpanjang kontrak dengan McLaren hingga 2030. Ini dampaknya bagi tim dan Oscar Piastri, plus arti pentingnya bagi bursa pembalap F1.
Mercedes memastikan George Russell akan menjalani penalti mesin di sisa musim F1 2025, namun belum menentukan balapan mana. Keputusan ini memengaruhi peluangnya mengejar Antonelli.
Perpanjangan kontrak Lando Norris hingga 2030 bersama McLaren mengamankan masa depan tim, memberi kepastian bagi Oscar Piastri, dan menegaskan stabilitas di bursa pembalap F1.
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