George Russell will now incur a penalty when Mercedes releases its upgraded power unit, opting to postpone enforcement until the new Mercedes power unit upgrade goes live.
Russell’s Strategy Explained
“We’re waiting to take my penalty with the ADUO upgrade,” Russell said before the Italian Grand Prix. “If I took it in Monza, I’d have to take it again, so it made zero sense.”
ADUO and the Shift in Penalties
Mercedes is granted one Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunity (ADUO) for 2026, based on the combustion engine’s performance. The system allows a team to deploy a fresh power unit while keeping the penalty count to a single 10‑place drop.
Red Bull‑Ford, meanwhile, tops the performance chart and is barred from receiving any ADUO, leaving Mercedes and other teams to decide the timing that best suits their season strategy.
Antonelli’s Monza Milestone
Kimi Antonelli already exceeded his power‑unit allocation during the Monza sprint, taking a back‑of‑the‑grid penalty but recovering to victory from 19th on the starting line.
Because he had already breached the component limit, Antonelli will only lose five places for each new part in the upcoming upgrade, rather than the usual ten.
Ferrari’s Record of Upgrades
Ferrari’s front‑row team introduced two upgrades this season, while Mercedes is staunchly limited to just one. The swelling headway could shift the “pecking order” once the Silver Arrow’s new power unit is rolled out.
Timing of the Upgrade
Both Mercedes drivers anticipate the upgrade’s debut in late October, either during the Austin or Mexico City rounds, where the full power‑train overhaul will finally take place.
Prospects for the 2026 Order
Russell believes the team faces no imminent threat, but notes, “It will be very interesting when we bring our upgrades.” The upcoming release may level the playing field for the upcoming season’s title battles.
Strategic Closure
By aligning the penalty with the launch of its upgraded power unit, Russell and Mercedes aim to avoid a double sanction, preserving competitive momentum for the remainder of the season.
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