Russell was running with his race gearbox in second practice at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez after Williams fitted it between F1 practiceᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚ sessions in the lunch break.

The issue meant Russell wasn’t able to set a representative lap🅰 time in FP2 after he returned to the pits witꦓh just two out-laps to his name.

Speaking💎 before he was aware of the penalty after practice, Russell said: “There’s not a huge amount to say to be honest, I had a gearbox failure so the guys are still looking into how it happened and if we can recover that gearbox and where we go from here really.

“It’s not ideal but it’s only Friday and points are rewarded on Sunda༺y.”

The Mercedes💎-bound driver ended first F1 practice 17th overall, 2.1s off the pace set by Valtteri Bottas.

Despite struggling for one-lap pace✃,🎉 Russell was satisfied with Williams' race performance as he looks to get back into the points on Sunday.

“FP1 was a surprisingly good for us, I had a good rhythm and showed some good race pace and I think that’s what ෴it’s all going to be about,” Russell added.&🧜nbsp;

“This high altitude makes it really difficult for the cooling, the brakes and the engine. I think if we can be on to🌺p of that, we can be ꦛon the front foot for the race.”

Lance Stroll and Yuki Tsunoda will also s♓erve grid penalties af🔯ter taking fresh power units for this weekend.

The duo will sta𒁏rt from the back🌳 of the grid for Sunday’s race.