Russell to start US Grand Prix from pit lane after qualifying crash
20th October 2024Mercedes’ George Russell is set to start the United States Grand Prix from the pit lane after the team were forced to complete repairs after his qualifying crash.
Feature image credit: Mercedes F1
Russell had qualified sixth for the US Grand Prix in Saturday’s qualifying action but a crash late on forced the session to come to a premature end, stopping anyone from bettering their grid position.
However, the team have been forced under the regulations to start Russell from the pit lane due to the work overnight during a time the car should’ve been covered up, and reverting to another specification.
The team notified the change of grid position on social media, on X they said:
“Unfortunately George will start today’s race from the pit lane.
“After yesterday’s accident, the team had to work through the night to revert on specification thus contravening Article 40.6 that says cars must be covered two hours after the end of qualifying.”
Unfortunately George will start today’s race from the pit lane
After yesterday’s accident, the team had to work through the night to revert on specification thus contravening Article 40.6 that says cars must be covered two hours after the end of qualifying pic.twitter.com/si988TZBXc
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) October 20, 2024
Mercedes will now have Russell starting from the pit lane and their seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton down in 17th, having improved two places as a result of Russell’s demotion and Liam Lawson’s (VCARB) engine penalty.
The seven-time world champion did voice his opinion after qualifying 19th originally, stating he should start from the pit lane. With Sky Sports F1, Hamilton said:
“I should probably start from the pit lane otherwise I won’t be going anywhere.”
Read more Formula 1 here:
- Norris takes US Grand Prix pole after Russell crashes in F1 qualifying
- Verstappen returns to winning ways in US Grand Prix sprint
- Verstappen takes US Grand Prix sprint pole by pipping Russell
- Carlos Sainz fastest in US Grand Prix sole practice ahead of Leclerc
- Alexander Albon to bring celebratory 100th race helmet to United States GP
- FIA issue statement on Oscar Piastri car ahead of US Grand Prix
- Liam Lawson ‘super excited’ for F1 return at US Grand Prix
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Hi, I’m Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion.
I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I’ve loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.
Kamron Kent
Hi, I'm Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion. I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I've loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.
