# George Russell Gets Five-Place Penalty

> Mercedes driver George Russell takes five-place grid penalty at Sao Paulo GP for engine change.
- Title: George Russell Gets Five-Place Penalty · Sky Sports | Shortify
- Summary: Mercedes driver George Russell takes five-place grid penalty at Sao Paulo GP for engine change.
- Keywords: george russell, mercedes, sao paulo gp, engine change, grid penalty, Sky Sports
- Source: Sky Sports — https://skysports.com/f1/news/12040/13608847/george-russell-mercedes-driver-to-take-five-place-grid-penalty-at-sao-paulo-gp-for-engine-change
- Published: 2026-11-06T13:07:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: george russell, mercedes, sao paulo gp, engine change, grid penalty, f1, sports
## Penalty for Engine Change
George Russell will take a five-place grid penalty at this weekend's Sao Paulo Grand Prix for use of a fresh Mercedes engine.
## Previous Engine Issue
Russell took a fifth engine of the season at last month's Singapore GP, dropping him to the back of the field.
## Grid Penalty Details
The penalty triggers a five-place demotion, not an additional engine change penalty.
## Championship Implications
Mercedes will secure the constructors' championship if they outscore Ferrari by three or more points.
## Russell's Statement
Russell said: 'I mean we always had to take a grid penalty at some point.

> I mean we always had to take a grid penalty at some point. Obviously we took one in Singapore but from Singapore until the end of the season, we felt this was a good place to take it.
## Key takeaway

George Russell will start Sunday's race sixth after a five-place grid penalty for using a fresh Mercedes engine.