What happened: Toto Wolff said Russell will take a new power unit and start Sunday's Singapore Grand Prix from the back of the grid. The fourth unit of the season failed on lap 50 of the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, forcing retirement.

Why it matters: Russell sits 84 points behind teammate Kimi Antonelli, leaving his title bid effectively over. Singapore's narrow street layout and low-grip surface make overtaking difficult, raising the cost of a back-row start.

What to watch: Mercedes faces the final Sprint weekend of 2026 needing maximum points from both cars. Watch how quickly Russell can move through traffic where passing is limited.