Mercedes plans to use different Formula 1 car specifications for the Singapore Grand Prix, running George Russell in the team’s older-specification car while Kimi Antonelli uses an upgraded package. The move is intended to help the team identify why updates introduced earlier performed differently than expected.
The change follows Mercedes’ recent introduction of a new floor and bodywork package around the Bahrain and Malaysia period, including revised components behind the front wheels and changes to the upper sidepod area. According to the reports, Antonelli will run the “Sepang updates” again, while Russell switches back to the specification he drove previously, with references to having used the older configuration at Baku. Outlets frame the decision as a straightforward or “no-brainer” operational choice, emphasizing that Mercedes is testing performance directly by separating the specification choices within the same race weekend.
Overall, the different approaches for Russell and Antonelli are presented as a diagnostic step by the team, rather than an immediate change to its broader upgrade strategy.
