The Canadian Grand Prix has been marred by controversy following George Russell’s narrow victory over Max Verstappen. Red Bull has lodged a protest with the FIA stewards, contesting the outcome of the race. The team’s decision to protest Russell’s win is believed to be linked to the driver’s actions during the late-race Safety Car period.
As the Safety Car was deployed on the track, Russell suddenly braked heavily down the back straight while approaching the chicane. This unexpected maneuver allowed Verstappen to sail past him on the right-hand side of the track, catching the Dutch driver off guard. Russell immediately flagged over team radio that Verstappen had overtaken him under the Safety Car, which is not permitted according to the FIA rules.
The rules, as outlined in Article 55.10 of the Sporting Regulations, dictate that drivers behind the Safety Car must maintain a distance of within 10 car lengths from the Safety Car. Russell’s braking action may have resulted in opening a wider gap than permitted, potentially violating this rule. Notably, both Pierre Gasly and Sergio Perez were given five-second time penalties for similar transgressions during the 2022 season. Moreover, Russell himself fell foul of this rule in last year’s Qatar Grand Prix, resulting in a penalty point on his license.
Article 55.5 of the same rulebook further emphasizes that drivers must not drive unnecessarily slowly, erratically, or in a manner that could be deemed potentially dangerous to other drivers or any other person while the Safety Car is deployed. This rule applies to all areas of the track, including the pit entry road and pit lane.
The exact nature of Red Bull’s protest is yet to be confirmed, but it is likely that the team is contesting Russell’s actions during the Safety Car period. Representatives from both Red Bull and Mercedes will meet with the FIA stewards at 17:50 pm local time in Montreal to discuss the matter.
Verstappen provided his account of the incident to Sky F1, stating that both he and Russell were trying to urge the Safety Car to speed up, as it was traveling at a relatively slow pace of 120 kilometers per hour. According to Verstappen, Russell attempted to speed up to the Safety Car, but then suddenly backed out, causing confusion.
Onboard TV footage suggested that Russell had glanced in his right rear-view mirror immediately prior to his hard braking, which may have contributed to his sudden deceleration. The implications of this incident are significant for both drivers. Verstappen headed into the Canadian Grand Prix with 11 penalty points on his FIA Super Licence, and should he pick up a penalty point between now and the end of the Austrian Grand Prix in a fortnight’s time, he will face an automatic race ban.
For Russell, a time penalty could result in him losing his victory if the FIA stewards rule against him. The British driver won the race by less than a second ahead of Verstappen, as the Safety Car saw the field home after a late collision between Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris. The outcome of the protest will have significant implications for the championship standings.
In a separate development, the two McLaren drivers were summoned to see the stewards after the race following their late-race clash. The incident resulted in Norris retiring from the Grand Prix, and the stewards will review the circumstances surrounding the collision.
The FIA will carefully examine the evidence and hear from both teams before making a determination on Red Bull’s protest. The outcome will have far-reaching consequences for the drivers and teams involved, and the decision will be closely watched by fans and competitors alike.
In conclusion, the Canadian Grand Prix has been marked by controversy and drama, with Red Bull’s protest casting a shadow over George Russell’s victory. As the FIA stewards review the evidence and hear from both teams, the outcome remains uncertain. The decision will have significant implications for the championship standings and the drivers involved, and it will be closely watched by the motorsport community.
