George Russell’s Canadian Grand Prix Win Under Scrutiny as Red Bull Lodges FIA Protest
George Russell’s hard-fought victory at the 2025 Canadian Grand Prix has been thrown into uncertainty after Red Bull filed a formal protest with the FIA. The British driver had crossed the finish line first, securing what appeared to be his fourth career Formula 1 win. However, the result is now under review, with FIA stewards summoning both Russell and Max Verstappen for a post-race hearing to address the concerns raised by Red Bull. As of now, the exact basis of the protest remains unclear.
The race concluded under safety car conditions, with Russell leading Verstappen and Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli, who rounded out the podium in third. What had been a relatively calm race at the front—lacking direct on-track duels for the lead—has now turned into a tense post-race affair, overshadowing what was expected to be a moment of celebration for Russell and the Mercedes team.
Russell and Verstappen started the race side-by-side on the front row after delivering spectacular performances in Saturday’s qualifying session. It was one of the most competitive and closely matched qualifying runs of the season, heightening anticipation for an explosive race. Contrary to expectations, however, the two title contenders avoided any first-lap drama. Russell got away cleanly and held Verstappen at bay throughout the race, with the Dutchman never falling far behind but never quite close enough to mount a serious overtaking attempt.
The Mercedes driver managed the gap well, maintaining control through the various phases of the Grand Prix, including during periods of changing weather and virtual safety car interruptions. The final laps were run behind a full safety car due to a late-race incident, denying Verstappen a final opportunity to challenge for the win.
Despite the absence of a head-to-head battle for position, Red Bull’s protest suggests there may be a regulatory issue or technical irregularity at play. The paddock is now rife with speculation over what the protest could involve. Potential areas of contention might include alleged infractions related to the safety car procedure, pit stop regulations, or even something as technical as fuel flow or tire allocation. Until the FIA releases an official statement, the specifics remain a matter of conjecture.
If the FIA were to uphold Red Bull’s protest, it could result in penalties that would cost Russell the win—an outcome that would be devastating for the 27-year-old. This situation draws parallels to last year’s Belgian Grand Prix, where Russell crossed the line first only to be disqualified after his car was found to be underweight during post-race scrutineering. That incident gifted the win to his teammate Lewis Hamilton and left Russell visibly heartbroken.
Now, history threatens to repeat itself in Montreal. The Mercedes garage is reportedly working closely with the FIA to provide all necessary documentation and telemetry data to defend their driver’s result. Meanwhile, Red Bull’s legal and technical teams are said to be confident in the evidence they’ve presented, though no official details have yet been disclosed.
For now, the racing world must wait as the stewards deliberate. What should have been a straightforward celebration for George Russell and Mercedes has turned into a nerve-wracking wait for a final verdict. Regardless of the outcome, the incident adds yet another layer of controversy to an already dramatic 2025 Formula 1 season. Fans, teams, and drivers alike will be watching closely for the stewards’ decision, which could have serious implications not just for the race result, but also for the championship standings moving forward.
