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F1·ANALYSIS·October 9, 2026 01:11 AM ET

Russell calls Mercedes split-spec strategy a 'no brainer'

He proposed the idea before his Malaysia engine failure.

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated 48m1 min read
Post on X
George Russell says it's a "no brainer" for Mercedes to put him on the old car specification to do an upgrade comparison Via @LukeSmithF1 on X

What happened: George Russell says Mercedes will use the Singapore Grand Prix to run a split-specification comparison after he incurred a grid penalty. Russell will drive the older car configuration while teammate Kimi Antonelli runs the upgraded package to gather comparative data.

Why it matters: The strategy attempts to salvage value from a compromised weekend following Russell's engine failure in Malaysia. The direct on-track testing provides critical evaluation of the team's recent development path.

What to watch: The team will analyze the performance delta between the two specifications during practice sessions at the Marina Bay Street Circuit.

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