Mercedes is running a split‑spec garage for Singapore, equipping Kimi Antonelli with the new Malaysia upgrade and leaving George Russell on the older aerodynamic package.
Split‑spec Allocation Confirms Strategy
Toto Wolff confirmed a split‑spec test before the sprint, and photos of the paddock revealed the two driver cars already set apart.
Antonelli’s car will carry the controversial upgrade for the full weekend, intending to provide the best pace for the tight Marina Bay circuit.
Meanwhile, Russell’s machine will feature the previous‑spec floor, with pit‑lane images displaying the two distinct aerodynamic setups side‑by‑side.
Russell’s Engine Penalty Forces Tactical Shift
After a catastrophic power‑unit failure in Sepang, Russell faces a mandatory engine penalty that forces him to start from the back on Singapore’s narrow street track.
With only a single 60‑minute practice before parc ferme, Mercedes uses Russell’s compromised haul as a high‑speed test mule, directly comparing the failed Malaysia updates without jeopardising Antonelli’s title chase.
Although giving the older parts to Russell seems counter‑intuitive, the tactic allows the team to gather essential performance data during the sprint weekend.
Mercedes balances championship ambition with a critical data‑gathering mission as the circuit’s overtaking challenges loom large.
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