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New PU for Russell after Austrian GP failure

Photo: © LAT Images

New PU for Russell after Austrian GP failure

Russell retired at the Red Bull Ring with a gear drive problem

Williams driver George Russell will take a new power unit for this weekend's second Formula 1 race of the season, the Styrian Grand Prix.

Russell retired on lap 49 of the 71-lap season-opening race in Austria on Sunday after suffering a loss of fuel pressure at a time when he was in the hunt for a possible points-scoring finish.

The Mercedes PU was shipped back to the High Performance Powertrains factory at Brixworth for an investigation and systems tests that discovered a gear drive failure.

It means Russell will now run with a new internal combustion engine, turbocharger and MGU-H for the return to the Red Bull Ring.

With the changes made so early in the season, it increases the risk of Russell taking grid penalties later in the year, with F1 hopeful of a minimum of 15 grands prix this season.

For this weekend, Russell only has two practice sessions available to him as reserve Jack Aitken will take over his car for FP1.

Before you go...

Red Bull avoid PU changes as Honda apply "countermeasures" after Austria issues

Alonso capture not a snub to our academy - Renault

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