Russell could take next engine penalty in Las Vegas

George Russell, the Mercedes driver, may face another engine penalty at the upcoming Las Vegas Grand Prix, which would occur after teammate Kimi Antonelli secures the Formula One championship. Currently, Russell is in second place in the standings, trailing 102 points behind Antonelli with six races left. Russell started from the rear of the grid in the Singapore Grand Prix, having exhausted his team's power unit allocation.

He recently indicated that another penalty is likely before the season's end, possibly in Las Vegas. Russell explained that they had not originally intended to take a new engine in Singapore due to its challenging overtaking conditions, but a failure in Bahrain left them with no choice. Austin, Texas was initially considered for the next penalty in October, but Las Vegas, a more straightforward track, is now the preferred option.

Antonelli, 20, has the chance to become the youngest ever champion when he competes in Austin, with five rounds remaining. To achieve this, he must win the race, but this depends on either Russell or Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton not scoring enough points to stay in contention. Mexico and Brazil, races a week and a weekend apart respectively, are more probable venues for Antonelli's championship success before Las Vegas.

With third-placed Lewis Hamilton now 111 points behind Antonelli, only 125 points available after Austin, it is clear that Antonelli will ultimately clinch the title. If he wins in Texas, Red Bull's Max Verstappen, Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, and McLaren's reigning champion Lando Norris will be eliminated from championship contention immediately.