Mercedes Drivers Split Car Packages for Singapore GP Amid Upgrade Concerns
George Russell and Kimi Antonelli will race with different specifications at the Singapore GP as Mercedes seeks to understand recent performance issues.
As the Formula 1 circus arrives in Singapore for the final Sprint weekend of the season, Mercedes drivers George Russell and Kimi Antonelli will take to the track with differing car specifications. This decision comes after a challenging outing at the Sepang circuit, where the team struggled to extract the expected performance from their recent upgrades.
Mercedes’ Strategy for Singapore
In an unusual move, Mercedes has opted to split their car packages for the weekend. Russell will race with the older aerodynamic specification that he previously used to secure victory in Baku, while Antonelli will pilot the upgraded version that debuted at Sepang. This strategy aims to provide insights into the performance discrepancies observed in Malaysia.
Russell’s Engine Penalty
Russell’s weekend will be further complicated by an engine penalty that will see him start at the back of the grid for Sunday’s main race. Following a power unit failure in Bahrain, he has confirmed that he will be running a fresh engine throughout the weekend, although it will not include the latest upgrades that Mercedes has been developing.
Anticipation for the New Package
Antonelli expressed optimism about the new front wing that will accompany his car, which was initially intended to be part of the upgrade package in Malaysia. He stated, “I hope it makes the difference! That’s the question we will try to answer.” The team is eager to understand the potential of the new package and extract maximum performance from it during the Singapore GP.
Weekend Schedule
The Singapore GP weekend kicks off with Practice on Friday at 9:30 AM, followed by Sprint Qualifying at 1:30 PM, all live on Sky Sports F1. The full schedule is as follows:
- Friday, October 9:
- 9:30 AM – Practice
- 1:30 PM – Sprint Qualifying
- Saturday, October 10:
- 10:00 AM – Sprint Race
- Sunday, October 11:
- 1:00 PM – Singapore Grand Prix
With Russell aiming to salvage points and Antonelli looking to contend for victory, the Singapore GP promises to be an intriguing event for Mercedes as they seek to bounce back from their recent struggles.
Source: This original report was produced by WTGO Newsroom using verified reporting from Sky Sports.