Chaos at Canadian GP: FIA Issues Warning to George Russell, Suspends Senior Steward Derek Warwick Over Media Breach
The 2025 Canadian Grand Prix weekend took an unexpected turn as the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) wrapped up its inquiry into an incident involving George Russell—while simultaneously suspending a high-ranking official for inappropriate media conduct.
Mercedes driver George Russell, who posted the fastest lap in Free Practice 2 (FP2) with a time of 1:12.323, found himself summoned by the race stewards after failing to comply with a rule outlined in the event notes issued by the Race Director. The rule—section 17.3—specifically instructs that any driver who goes off-track at Turns 13 or 14 must stay to the left of an orange kerb and rejoin the track through the designated run-off area inside Turn 14.
During the Friday session, Russell lost control under braking and went off at Turn 14. Instead of taking the prescribed re-entry route, he crossed the orange kerb and rejoined the circuit directly. While this technically breached the rules, it was determined that he did not gain any lasting advantage, nor did he create a safety hazard for other competitors on track.
When summoned, Russell admitted to the misstep, citing that his main concern was avoiding a potentially dangerous collision with the wall after his tyres locked up. He explained that his actions were taken with safety in mind. After reviewing the situation, the FIA acknowledged that although the regulation was technically violated, no harm was done and that similar cases in the past had not led to strict penalties. The stewards decided to issue Russell a formal warning rather than impose harsher sanctions like a fine, grid penalty, or penalty points.
In a statement, the FIA explained: “The stewards note that the driver admitted his mistake, acted with caution, and did not pose a safety risk. Considering previous precedents and the context of the incident, a warning is deemed sufficient.”
While the Russell matter was resolved with minimal consequence, a much more dramatic action took place off-track. Long-time FIA steward and former Formula 1 driver Derek Warwick was suspended from his stewarding duties at the Canadian Grand Prix. His removal stemmed from comments made during an unauthorized interview with a media outlet affiliated with a betting company.
In the interview, Warwick reportedly discussed sensitive topics, including Lewis Hamilton’s anticipated transfer to Ferrari and Max Verstappen’s penalty handed down during the Spanish Grand Prix. These discussions violated the FIA’s strict internal communication guidelines, which prohibit active stewards from publicly commenting on unresolved disciplinary matters or future team movements.
Labeling the remarks as “ill-advised” and contrary to the FIA’s standards of professionalism, the governing body announced that Warwick would be removed from his role for the remainder of the Montreal event. The decision reflects the FIA’s ongoing efforts to uphold transparency and maintain discipline within its ranks—not only among the drivers but among officials as well.
Following his suspension, Warwick issued an apology to the FIA, accepting responsibility for breaching protocol. To ensure that stewarding operations continue without interruption, the FIA appointed former F1 driver Enrique Bernoldi as Warwick’s temporary replacement. Bernoldi will oversee his duties remotely from the FIA’s Geneva operations center for the rest of the weekend.
Warwick is expected to resume his stewarding responsibilities at the Austrian Grand Prix, provided no further breaches occur.
These twin developments serve as a strong reminder of the FIA’s dual mission: to enforce on-track regulations with fairness and consistency while also demanding the highest ethical standards from those who serve in governance roles.
As for George Russell, the warning leaves him free to focus on the remainder of the race weekend. With Mercedes pushing to return to consistent podium form, the British driver will look to carry the momentum from FP2 into qualifying and Sunday’s main event.
