Russell to take engine penalty when Mercedes unleashes its ADUO upgrade in Austin or Mexico City

George Russell has confirmed he will serve his Formula 1 engine penalty only when Mercedes introduces its forthcoming ADUO power unit upgrade, anticipated at either the United States Grand Prix in Austin or the Mexico City round in late October.

Both Mercedes drivers have exceeded — or are expected to exceed — their permitted power unit allocation for the 2025 season. Kimi Antonelli triggered his penalty last weekend at Monza, starting from the back of the grid and charging through the field to claim a historic victory from 19th place.

Russell, however, has deliberately held off. Taking a penalty now, before the new hardware arrives, would mean absorbing a second hit once the upgrade is fitted — an outcome he was quick to dismiss.

“We’re waiting to take my penalty with the ADUO upgrade,” Russell said. “Otherwise, if I took it [in Monza], I’d have to take it again. So it made zero sense for me.”

The ADUO — Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities — system allocates upgrade rights based on each manufacturer’s internal combustion engine performance ranking. Red Bull Ford is currently rated the top engine and is therefore barred from using the scheme, while Mercedes, despite being widely regarded as the strongest power unit on the grid, has been granted one upgrade opportunity.

Antonelli will also take a further penalty when the new unit is introduced, but because he has already exceeded his allocation, each additional new component will carry only a five-place penalty rather than the standard ten. “So we’re changing everything now to avoid problems later on,” the Italian said at Monza. “And, as I said before, this is the best track to do it.”

Russell also noted that rivals such as Ferrari have already deployed two upgrades this season, compared to Mercedes’ single permitted update, and suggested the competitive picture could shift noticeably once the Silver Arrows’ hardware arrives.

“I don’t think, as a team, we’re under threat. And I think it’ll be very interesting when we bring our upgrades,” he said.