George Russell Calls for Further FIA Action on Lando Norris After Las Vegas Outburst
Mercedes driver George Russell added a playful twist to the drama at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, cheekily calling for his fellow Briton Lando Norris to receive an additional penalty for swearing on live television—an outburst that came shortly before Norris’ eventual disqualification from the race.
The Las Vegas weekend had already been filled with tension and unpredictability, and the shake-up continued well after the chequered flag. Norris originally crossed the line in second place, strengthening what looked like a smooth march toward his maiden Formula One world title. But hours later, both he and his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri were disqualified for excessive wear on their cars’ skid blocks—a breach of technical regulations that wiped out their strong finishes.
The disqualification dramatically reshaped the standings. Instead of Norris extending his lead, the championship gap between him and Piastri remained unchanged at 24 points. Meanwhile, race-winner Max Verstappen moved to within 24 points of Norris as well, keeping the title fight fiercely alive heading into the next rounds. For Mercedes, however, the ruling became a blessing. Russell was promoted to second place, while his teenage teammate Kimi Antonelli inherited third, delivering a highly important double podium for the Silver Arrows as they push to clinch second in the Constructors’ Championship.
Podium Banter Turns Into a Light-hearted “Call for Punishment”
Before the FIA ruling overturned the standings, the mood on the podium was relaxed and almost celebratory among the top three finishers—Verstappen, Norris, and Russell. Despite the high-stakes nature of the championship battle, the trio shared jokes as they spoke to interviewer David Coulthard.
Norris, reflecting on the race, admitted he avoided fighting Verstappen too aggressively because he was thinking strategically about the championship rather than risking unnecessary contact. His comment prompted Coulthard to tease:
“It was nice to see the little joke there that you gave Max the opportunity to win here.”
Trying to correct the impression, Norris responded—live on air:
“I didn’t, I said I f*** it up.”**
The microphone caught the expletive clearly, prompting loud laughter from Verstappen. Russell seized the moment and jumped in with a mock-serious demand, joking:
“That’s a fine!”
The light-hearted exchange quickly went viral, but Russell’s comment touched on a very real issue: Formula One drivers can be fined for publicly dropping swear words during official broadcasts.
Will the FIA Fine Lando Norris?
While Russell’s comment was made in good fun, there is a genuine chance that Norris may face consequences for the slip. Formula One’s sporting regulations allow the FIA to issue financial penalties for what it considers “unnecessary swearing” during public-facing media moments.
Drivers are permitted to swear in high-intensity moments on the team radio, where emotions run high and the audience context is different. In those situations, the FIA usually shows leniency. But swearing during a podium interview, which is broadcast globally and aimed at general audiences, often leads to disciplinary action.
Earlier in the 2024 season, both Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc were fined for using strong language during official media engagements. In fact, Verstappen’s penalty triggered a brief dispute between him and FIA officials, raising debate about whether the sport was becoming too strict with driver personalities.
Given these precedents, Norris may well receive a financial penalty before the upcoming Qatar Grand Prix. The FIA tends to review such incidents quietly and issue fines in the days following the race weekend.
A Chaotic Weekend Ends With More Questions Than Answers
The Las Vegas Grand Prix will be remembered not just for Verstappen’s victory or the post-race penalties, but for the unusual mix of humour, controversy, and shifting championship dynamics.
Norris’ potential fine now becomes a footnote to what was already a difficult weekend for him—one where he lost a podium, valuable championship points, and possibly more money due to a moment of unfiltered honesty in front of the cameras.
For Russell, the race ended better than it began. His podium promotion boosts both his confidence and Mercedes’ hopes of finishing the season strongly. For Verstappen, the win brings him back into realistic title contention. And for Norris? The pressure intensifies. With the championship gap shrinking, and scrutiny from all directions, the young McLaren star heads into Qatar knowing every word—and every millimetre of car setup—now matters more than ever.
