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George Russell Overcomes PU Issues to Lead Singapore GP Practice
Highlights
- George Russell topped Singapore GP practice with 1:32.274 lap time.
- Mercedes debuted an all-new power unit on Russell’s car.
- Russell starts race at the back due to engine change penalty.
- Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris finished second and third respectively.
- Session included a virtual safety car after Nico Hulkenberg’s failure.
- Russell’s pace suggests improved Mercedes form on demanding Marina Bay circuit.
George Russell tops the only practice session at the 2026 Singapore Grand Prix with a 1:32.274 on softs at Marina Bay, despite a back‑of‑grid start for power‑unit penalties.
He leads Charles Leclerc by 0.198s, with Lando Norris 0.273s behind. The headline pace contrasts with Russell’s race outlook, given the mandatory penalties for replacing multiple power‑unit elements.
Mercedes fits an all-new package covering ICE, turbo, MGU‑K, energy store, control electronics, and exhaust, part of its all-new power unit push aimed at performance and reliability gains.
The team also splits specifications. Russell samples an earlier Azerbaijan baseline for correlation, while Kimi Antonelli runs the recent Bahrain upgrade, broadening data across configurations under similar circuit conditions.
Russell sets 1:32.274 in FP, yet faces a back-of-grid start for the power-unit change.
Grip evolves quickly on a dusty track. Max Verstappen opens on hards with 1:35.641 before Leclerc trims four tenths. Russell dips under 1:35 as the front-runners trade benchmarks.
Norris posts 1:34.367, Leclerc responds with 1:33.969, and Russell reclaims P1. Antonelli briefly heads the order. Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar sits fourth, within striking distance of the lead group.
Verstappen battles radio issues and finishes 1.1s adrift. Nico Hulkenberg then stops his Audi on the start‑finish straight, triggering a Virtual Safety Car and ending his participation.
VSC deployed after Nico Hulkenberg’s stoppage disrupts late long-run programs.
Final soft‑tyre runs decide it. Russell improves through successive laps, including a 1:32.864, before resetting the benchmark at 1:32.274. Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton briefly tops the times before Russell’s decisive response.
Leclerc and Norris complete the lead group. The pace profile suggests Mercedes finds traction and ride-platform gains that suit Marina Bay, strengthening prospects for the weekend’s sprint qualifying format.
The back‑row start reframes strategy, but clean pace offers recovery potential through sprint and race. Russell’s attack plan now hinges on tyre life, Safety Car timing, and overtaking execution.
Mercedes splits specs to accelerate correlation: Russell on older baseline, Antonelli on latest package.
For broader context on his season trajectory, see George Russell’s title verdict, which outlines expectations amid Mercedes’ ongoing development programme.
Visual Summary
Russell’s Power Surge
1:32.274
Fastest in Singapore Practice – Brand New Mercedes Power Unit
Will Start From The Back (Engine Penalty)
Who Chased?
Leclerc
+0.198s
Norris
+0.273s
Antonelli
+0.982s
Where He’ll Start
Back row ⬅️
(Engine Penalty)
Practice Drama
⚡
All-new Mercedes PU unleashed –
fastest from the back
All-new Mercedes PU unleashed –
fastest from the back
Verstappen struggled (radio issues), Hadjar close, Hulkenberg’s Audi broke down, virtual safety car.
The true test: sprint qualifying next!
Russell’s raw pace and Mercedes’ evolution are shaking up Singapore.
The only practice is done. Anything can happen from the back — keep your eyes on the 💙 turbo blue car.
Daniel Miller reports on Formula 1 Grand Prix weekends with race-day analysis, team-radio highlights, and point-standings updates. He explains power-unit upgrades, aerodynamic developments, and driver rivalries in straightforward, SEO-friendly language for a global F1 audience.
