Russell set for grid penalty at Sao Paulo Grand Prix

Mercedes driver George Russell has explained the team's decision to take a grid penalty at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix following an engine change. This marks Russell's second engine-related penalty in the last four rounds, following a previous penalty at the Singapore Grand Prix. Russell noted that the team always anticipated taking another penalty before the end of the season and identified Interlagos as a strategic location. He referenced Lewis Hamilton's impressive recovery drive from a penalty in Brazil in 2021, remaining optimistic about overcoming a five-place grid drop for a fresh Internal Combustion Engine (ICE). The penalty follows a difficult weekend for Russell in Mexico, where Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff revealed the driver was deeply disappointed with the final outcome.