Mercedes Splits Car Setups for Singapore Grand Prix Test

Mercedes will run two different car configurations at the Singapore Grand Prix weekend beginning October 9, 2026, as George Russell and Kimi Antonelli help investigate why the team's latest aerodynamic upgrades failed to deliver the expected gains in Malaysia. Russell will use the previous specification, while championship leader Antonelli retains the updated package, giving Mercedes a direct comparison at Marina Bay.

The decision follows a disappointing weekend at Sepang, where Mercedes introduced its first major upgrade package since May but struggled to match expectations. Antonelli finished second behind Red Bull's Max Verstappen, while Russell retired late in the race with an engine failure after running in contention for a podium.

According to reports from Formula1.com and Sky Sports, the comparison will continue throughout the Singapore event. Antonelli's car will also receive a new front wing that was originally intended to accompany the upgrade package in Malaysia.

Russell said he proposed the comparison before the Malaysian race, but his engine failure made the decision easier. He will return to the specification used for his victory in Azerbaijan, allowing Mercedes to evaluate the two configurations under the same circuit conditions.

"So when the failure happened, it was kind of a no-brainer, because we were kind of 50-50 about it pre-race. And I was more in favour to do it, and that was even pre-race. Whereas now it is a total no-brainer." Russell said, according to Formula1.com.

The older specification previously delivered strong results, including Russell's Azerbaijan victory. Mercedes hopes the Singapore comparison will establish whether the difficulties in Malaysia stemmed from the upgrade itself or from Sepang's unusual track conditions, including rough asphalt and high temperatures.

Russell said Mercedes had no conclusive evidence that the new parts were fundamentally flawed. He also pointed to the team's previous performances with the older configuration as a reason to avoid dismissing it prematurely.

"When you look at the pace of Red Bull as well, they clearly over performed compared to where they've been this season compared to all of the other teams, and actually, when you look at our pace compared to McLaren and Ferrari, it wasn't too dissimilar. It wasn't like massively out of bed. So this engine penalty this weekend has just given a good opportunity to roll back.

It's the car that I won in Baku with – so let's see." Russell said, according to Formula1.com.

Antonelli will retain the updated package because Mercedes wants to understand its potential rather than abandon it after one difficult weekend. The Italian believes Singapore's cooler conditions, smoother surface and numerous slow corners will provide a more representative assessment than Sepang.

"And this weekend, I think, is a good example. It's going to be a good opportunity to see and to compare the two packages. And because we know the old one, we've known it for ages, we know how to set up the car around that package.

We know it works really well, and is really fast in these kinds of tracks. And we really want to understand." Antonelli said, according to Formula1.com.

He also emphasized the importance of evaluating the development work already completed by the team. Mercedes wants to determine how much performance remains available in the revised design before making further decisions about its direction.

"So I feel like I'm quite comfortable on keeping it – and actually I really want to help the team out to understand it more, and as I said before try to extract the potential." Antonelli said, according to Formula1.com.

Russell's immediate challenge extends beyond the car comparison. According to BBC Sport, the British driver will start Sunday's Singapore Grand Prix from the back of the grid after exceeding his permitted engine allocation. The Malaysian failure disrupted Mercedes' plan to wait for an upgraded power unit before making another engine change.

Formula 1's allocation allows four engines per season under the limits described by Russell. With seven races remaining at the time of the Singapore event, he expects to incur another grid penalty when the newer engine specification becomes available, potentially as early as the United States Grand Prix in Austin.

"You get (a limit of) four engines a season, so six races on each, and we have seven races to the end. So I will be taking another penalty, so yeah it's pretty relentless at the moment." Russell said, according to BBC Sport.

The penalty is particularly damaging in Singapore, where overtaking is difficult. Motorsport Magazine's Mark Hughes identified Fernando Alonso as a potential obstacle to Russell's recovery, citing Aston Martin's improved performance in Malaysia after earlier development and power-unit difficulties.

Alonso and Aston Martin showed stronger pace at Sepang, advancing both cars into the second qualifying segment. With Singapore's slower corners and lower sensitivity to engine power, Aston Martin could remain competitive enough to complicate Russell's progress through the field.

Russell's retirement in Malaysia also widened his championship deficit to Antonelli to 84 points. Mercedes entered Singapore seeking answers about its car development while managing reliability concerns that have repeatedly affected Russell's season.