After briefly leading the Melbourne race, Russell was forced to retire on Lap 18 when he stopped on track with a power unit issue after his Mercedes engine began🦂 spitting flames. 

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff suggested that the problem was related to a cylinder but stressed the team would need to conduct a thorough analysis to determine what ha🅘d caused the race-ending issue. 

It has now emerged that Mercedes have concluded that the V6 internal combustion engine - as well as other components such as the turbocharger and MGU-H - are beyond repair, according to German publication . 

AMuS report that a piece of debris became lodged in the cylinder and caused the fire while Russ🌞ell was running in fourth.

The report adds that Mercedes are yet to determ💦ine whether other compon🐲ents, such as the battery and power electronics, can be saved.

It is expected that a new engine will be fitted into Russell’s car for the upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix at the end of the month. The change will see Russell move ont💙o his second V6 engine of the season.  

Wit❀h drivers limited to just three power units per season, Russell is now extremely likely to serve a grid penalty at some point this year.

Doubts over Mercedes’ engine reliability were already raised at the season-opener in Bahrain when customer team McLaren encountered a pneumatic problem on 168澳洲5最新开奖结果:Lando Norris’ car, resulting in him moving onto his second V6 at the second round in Saudi Arabia.&ᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚnbsp;