United States GP: George Russell starts race from pitlane after damaging Mercedes in qualifying accident | F1 news

George Russell will lose his sixth place on the grid and start the United States Grand Prix from the pitlane after Mercedes had to make changes to his car following his qualifying accident.

Mercedes brought improved flooring to Austin for both Russell and his teammate Lewis Hamilton, but does not have replacement versions of the new parts.

The team confirmed this Sky Sports F1 On Sunday morning it was announced that Russell, who had badly damaged his car in a serious accident at Turn 19, had to therefore revert to an earlier specification of the W15, resulting in a breach of the parc ferme conditions and a pitlane start led.

The scale of the task of changing the specification led to another breach of the rules, which also resulted in a pit stop as Mercedes continued to work on the car past the cut-off time two hours after the end of qualifying.

A Mercedes spokesman said: “Following George’s accident in qualifying we had to work on the car overnight during vehicle coverage time. He will therefore start from the pit lane today.”

“The amount of work involved was due to the specification drawing on what we did in Singapore.”

The FIA ​​has not yet officially confirmed Russell's pit start, but will do so before the start of the race live on Sky Sports F1 at 8 p.m.

Hamilton, who endured a disastrous qualifying when he finished 19th, will now start from 17th on the grid, while RB driver Liam Lawson will be relegated to the back of the grid due to penalties for exceeding his engine limit.

Hamilton said after qualifying that he would consider starting from the pitlane to change his setup to improve his pace, but Mercedes currently appears to have opted to keep the seven-time world champion on the grid.

Russell's start in the pit lane moves Pierre Gasly up to sixth on the grid – the highest starting position for an Alpine driver this season.

Lando Norris starts from pole as the McLaren driver looks to reduce Max Verstappen's 54-point lead in the world championship, with the Red Bull driver joining the Briton on the front row.

Sky Sports F1's live United States GP schedule

Sunday, October 20th
6:30 p.m.: Grand Prix Sunday: Preparation for the United States GP*
8:00 p.m.: THE GRAND PRIX OF THE UNITED STATES*
10 p.m.: Checkered flag: United States GP reaction
11 p.m.: Ted's notebook

*also live on Sky Sports Main Event (race preparation on Sunday from 7:15 p.m.)

Watch the United States GP on Sunday at 8pm, with build-up from 6.30pm live on Sky Sports F1. Stream every F1 race and more with a NOW Sports Month membership – no contract, cancel anytime