Why George Russell (Mercedes) is continuing to drive with an old engine in Baku

It’s only a matter of time before he has to bite the bullet: Mercedes driver George Russell still has at least one engine penalty to serve, meaning he’ll have to start the race further back on the grid (the severity of the penalty varies depending on the components replaced). The Baku City Circuit is actually the sort of track where one could grudgingly accept an engine penalty: overtaking is possible here, so one wouldn’t necessarily be stuck at the back of the field. What’s more, a new engine also delivers more power, which can help on the fast, long straights.

That is why there had been speculation as to whether George Russell, who still needs to carry out at least one engine change, would do so in Baku. His team-mate Kimi Antonelli had already done so at Monza (and, with some extra oomph and a superb performance, fought his way from the back of the field to victory). But it’s now clear: in Baku, George Russell will continue to race with an old engine. That may sound like a disadvantage, but it shows foresight.

Russell will serve the penalty later in the season

George Russell made it clear on Wednesday ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix: “It won’t be this weekend. I’ll take the penalty later.” The Briton explains: “It’s a bit of a disadvantage, but it fluctuates slightly throughout the season because all the drivers have new engines at different points in the season. So in one race you have a newer power unit, in another an older one.”

Russell: It won’t be long

Russell’s current power unit is a veteran among Formula 1 engines. Russell put it in almost poignant terms: “My current one is slowly approaching the end of its life.” So the farewell is near. Russell: “But it won’t be long before I – fortunately or unfortunately – take the penalty.” He’s torn, because it is a penalty, but it also provides a boost. Russell: “Depending on where you take the penalty, it can be less painful.” Think overtaking opportunities on the circuit.

So why doesn’t Russell take the penalty in Baku? It’s a simple calculation. Russell: “Because our ADUO update is coming soon, which would mean I’d have to take yet another penalty. When I had to change my engine in Budapest, I also had to change my turbo. It’s all a bit complicated, but in short: if I take a penalty now, I’d have to take another one later.” In order to include the updated engine in the pool, that is. The ADUO rule grants manufacturers with underperforming engines (as measured by the combustion engine) the opportunity to update them depending on the deficit.

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So Russell and his engine will have to hold out a little longer – ideally, the swap will then be doubly worthwhile.