FIA Issues Final Verdict on George Russell After Canadian Grand Prix Investigation
The FIA has confirmed that Mercedes Formula 1 driver George Russell will not face any penalty following an investigation into a suspected rules violation during Friday’s Free Practice 2 session at the 2025 Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal.
Russell, who delivered an impressive performance by finishing first in the second practice session, was summoned to the stewards shortly after due to an alleged breach of Article 12.2.1i of the FIA International Sporting Code, as well as non-compliance with item 17.3 of the Race Director’s Event Notes. The note specifically outlined the correct procedure for rejoining the track via the escape road at Turn 14, an area of the track known for its tight chicane and limited run-off.
The investigation stemmed from an incident in which Russell left the track after locking up and losing control of the rear of his car upon exiting the pit lane on fresh tyres. He was seen cutting across the orange line and bypassing the designated escape route—a mandatory action meant to maintain safety and consistency during the race weekend. The stewards reviewed video footage, onboard camera views, and also heard explanations from Russell and a Mercedes team representative.
According to the official FIA statement, Russell explained that he had lost the rear end of the car at Turn 13 and had no viable option but to steer to the left of the orange kerb to avoid crashing. He emphasized that his primary concern was to keep the car out of the wall, and while he admitted to not following the rejoin procedure exactly as outlined, he recognized the mistake immediately and issued an apology.
The stewards took into account the circumstances—particularly the lack of danger posed to other drivers and the fact that Russell rejoined the track safely without gaining any competitive advantage. They concluded that while the regulation had technically been breached, a formal warning would suffice as a disciplinary measure. The decision aligns with precedents from previous similar incidents during practice sessions at the same circuit.
This outcome is a positive development for both Russell and the Mercedes team. With no grid penalty or time penalty applied, Russell’s fastest time in FP2 stands, keeping momentum on his side heading into qualifying and race day. It also marks another step forward for Mercedes as they continue to close the performance gap to front-runners like Red Bull and Ferrari.
The Canadian Grand Prix weekend is already proving to be a significant one for Russell. Not only has he shown promising speed early on, but avoiding punishment keeps his focus solely on delivering a strong qualifying performance. Mercedes fans will be hoping that this encouraging form can be translated into a successful race result on Sunday.
