Russell hit with grid penalty in Turkey after PU changes

George Russell is set to start Sunday's Turkish GP at the back of the grid after several engine component changes have warranted a penalty.

This weekend in Turkey, the Williams charger will take on a new Mercedes ICE, turbocharger and MGU-H, putting Russell over the four-element limit and thus triggering a grid drop.

Remarkably, Russell is the first driver this season to receive an engine grid penalty, a setback actually rooted in the Briton's engine failure at the opening round of the 2020 season in Austria back in July.

Read also: Williams 'set-up breakthroughs' bode well for team - Russell

Russell has acquitted himself well lately, regularly hauling himself into Q2 in qualifying, an improvement he believes he owes to the team's better understanding of its FW43 contender.

"I think the F1 cars are so complex," he said. "Everything needs to come together like a great big jigsaw puzzle.

"And I think we are just getting more and more things in place. Everything is running smoother and I'm just getting more and more confident week in and week out in this race car.

"Engineers are continuously improving the set-up and what have you.

"So I think life and F1 is about learning and utilising the things you learn and we are doing that to great lengths at the moment, and I think we are getting closer to the midfield which is what we're obviously aiming for."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.