George Russell set for back-of-grid Singapore start after Bahrain heartbreak deals another blow to title bid

Mercedes driver George Russell leaves his car after his team decided to retire the car during the Formula One Bahrain Grand Prix in Sepang October 4, 2026. — AFP pic

First Published: Wednesday, 07 Oct 2026 9:58 AM MYT

SINGAPORE, Oct 7 — George Russell’s dwindling Formula One championship hopes have been dealt a further blow as he is set to start this week’s Singapore Grand Prix from the rear of the grid, reported PA Media/dpa.

Russell’s heartbreaking power-unit failure in the closing stages of Sunday’s Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia left him a whopping 84 points adrift of team-mate Kimi Antonelli, with just seven rounds left to run.

The British driver conceded that his hopes of winning a maiden title are now “exceptionally unlikely”.

His slender chances of a turnaround have now suffered another setback. It is understood that the 28-year-old will need to take a new power unit this weekend.

That will take Russell over the limit on several components, and the resulting penalties are likely to leave him starting from the rear of the grid on the streets of Singapore.

Antonelli won the Italian Grand Prix last month after taking a similar penalty, and Russell will need something similarly miraculous. — Bernama-PA Media/dpa