FIA Slaps George Russell with Double Penalty Shock After… read more
In a dramatic turn of events at the Canadian Grand Prix, Mercedes driver George Russell has been hit with not one, but two penalties during a single session, following an error that sparked a flurry of regulatory action. The FIA has confirmed the penalties, which stem from two instances of pit lane speeding — infractions that are normally considered minor, but have gained added attention due to the unusual circumstances surrounding the session.
The situation was made even more chaotic by an overnight change to the FIA’s stewarding panel. Veteran steward Derek Warwick was abruptly removed from his role after making “unauthorised comments” to the media. His place was filled by Enrique Bernoldi, a former Formula 1 driver, who took on the stewarding duties remotely from Geneva. This unusual mid-weekend reshuffle added another layer of intrigue to what was already a closely watched race weekend.
As for Russell’s infractions, they were straightforward but nonetheless costly. The British driver was caught exceeding the pit lane speed limit on two separate occasions — first by 0.1 km/h and then by 0.2 km/h. These may seem like negligible margins, but the FIA maintains a strict policy when it comes to pit lane speeding, regardless of how minor the breach.
In most cases during practice sessions, such small infractions are met with a standard €100 fine. This was also the case with Russell, whose breaches occurred during practice. However, the fact that he committed two violations in a single session prompted the stewards to issue both fines back-to-back, making it a “double whammy” for the Mercedes driver.
While these penalties do not affect Russell’s grid position or race outcome, they have drawn attention due to the context and timing. Mercedes is expected to cover the cost of the fines, as is customary in Formula 1. The team, like others in the paddock, typically shoulders the responsibility for minor regulatory breaches like pit lane speeding, rather than pinning the blame directly on the driver.
Interestingly, even more severe cases of pit lane speeding have occurred in the past without leading to sporting penalties. For example, at the 2021 British Grand Prix, Red Bull’s Sergio Perez was clocked at a shocking 120.6 km/h — more than 50% above the speed limit. Yet even in that extreme instance, the punishment was limited to a €1,000 fine, with no race penalty handed down.
The incident involving Russell may be minor in terms of impact, but it’s the combination of the stewarding upheaval and the double penalty that has turned it into a talking point. With tensions running high in the championship and every detail under the microscope, even the smallest infractions can turn into headline-worthy drama in Formula 1.
