Williams Formula 1 driver George Russell will take on a new Mercedes power unit at this weekend’s👍 Styrian Grand Pri🎀x.

It c🌃omes after engine issues forced Russell into retirement from the 2020 F1 season-opening Austrian Grand Prix.

The Briton had been running as high as 12th-place in the opening round of 🐭the delayed campaign at the Red♑ Bull Ring when his Williams conked out on the 49th lap, causing a Safety Car period.

Williams initially believed that the problem was a fuel pressure issue  following aജn initial assessment after the race. But after further investigations at Mercedes’ HPP facility in Brixworth, it was discovered that his power unit actually suffered a gear drive failure.

As a result, Russell’s car 🌃will be fitted with a new ICE, MGU-H and turbo for the second race of the season in Spielberg.

Russell wil🌌l step aside for the openin🐻g practice session at the Red Bull Ring as Williams reserve driver Jack Aitken makes his grand prix weekend bow for the team during FP1.

Mercedes had a few engine-related reliaꦇbility scares during the Austrian Grand Prix as Racing Point’s Lance Stroll also retired after encountering power unit problems.

However, it was later discovered that the ca🃏use of the Canadian’s retirement from the race was not actually related to the Mercedes P♌U in his RP20.

Mercedes suffered a number of ♐engine issues throughout pre-season testing but was confident it had found fixes to the reliability gremlins come the start of the season.

Only 11 drivers finished the Austrian Grand Prix as a number retired with 🐟reliability problems, with Russell’s Williams teammate Nicholas Latifi finishing as t𒈔he last classified runner in P11 on his F1 debut.