Russell to drop five grid places for Sunday’s São Paulo Grand Prix
Mercedes used a sixth internal combustion engine. Russell can contest Saturday qualifying; the penalty applies to the race grid.
Events: 8 Nov 2026
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George Russell will drop five grid places at the next race he starts. The FIA decision says the Mercedes driver used his sixth internal combustion engine during first practice on Friday. The ruling applies to the next race grid; the Saturday qualifying classification is a separate result.
Qualifying position and grid slot are different numbers
Russell can still chase the fastest lap in qualifying. For example, second place would become seventh on the grid if other penalties did not change the order. The FIA confirms the final grid. The official timetable gives Sunday’s start as 18:00 Budapest time on 8 November, 14:00 in São Paulo.
