# Russell Quickest in Old-Spec Mercedes

> George Russell leads Singapore GP practice with Mercedes' pre-Sepang car after grid penalty.
- Title: Russell Quickest in Old-Spec Mercedes · RaceFans | Shortify
- Summary: George Russell leads Singapore GP practice with Mercedes' pre-Sepang car after grid penalty. George Russell set fastest practice time for Singapore GP using…
- Keywords: george russell, mercedes, singapore grand prix, andrea kimi antonelli, red bull, max verstappen, isack hadjar, sports, cars, Russell, Quickest, Old-Spec
- Source: RaceFans — https://racefans.net/2026/10/09/russell-quickest-in-old-spec-mercedes-as-antonelli-and-red-bull-pair-save-tyres
- Published: 2026-10-09T09:39:31+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: george russell, mercedes, singapore grand prix, andrea kimi antonelli, red bull, max verstappen, isack hadjar, sports, cars
## Practice Session Results
George Russell set fastest time in Singapore GP practice using Mercedes' pre-Sepang car specification.
## Antonelli Saves Tyres for Qualifying
Andrea Kimi Antonelli ran latest parts but skipped flying laps to save fresh tyres for qualifying.
## Red Bull Drivers Save Tyres
Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar skipped flying laps to save fresh tyres for qualifying.
## Russell's Grid Penalty
Russell received a grid penalty after Mercedes fitted a new power unit following his Malaysia retirement.
## Leclerc Closes Gap
Charles Leclerc set time within two-tenths of Russell after claiming Lance Stroll held him up at turn four.
## Hadjar Unhappy with Car Balance
Isack Hadjar described his car's braking balance as a disaster, stating he had zero confidence to push.
## Top 10 Practice Finishers
Lando Norris, Lewis Hamilton, Oscar Piastri, Max Verstappen, Antonelli, Hadjar, Gasly, and Lawson completed the top 10.
## Key takeaway

George Russell set fastest practice time for Singapore GP using Mercedes' pre-Sepang car despite grid penalty.