Shock FIA Twist After Canadian GP Chaos: Mercedes Star Penalized as All 20 Drivers Summoned
In a dramatic twist to an already chaotic Canadian Grand Prix, the FIA has stunned the paddock with a late-night ruling that penalizes a key Mercedes driver and summons every single driver on the grid for post-race investigations. The fallout has sent shockwaves through the F1 world as teams scramble to make sense of the unprecedented move.
The Montreal race, held under fluctuating weather and high tension, had already delivered on drama with multiple safety cars, bold overtakes, and championship-altering implications. But just as teams were packing up, the FIA dropped a bombshell: a comprehensive review of driver behavior under the safety car and wet conditions would involve all 20 drivers, and Mercedes’ George Russell has already found himself on the wrong side of the ruling.
Mercedes in the Crosshairs
Russell, who had fought valiantly to finish within the top five, was handed a post-race time penalty for what stewards described as “unsafe behavior during a Safety Car period,” specifically citing erratic weaving and braking. The move drops him down the order, costing Mercedes valuable constructor points in their battle with McLaren and Ferrari.
Team Principal Toto Wolff reacted furiously, calling the decision “a completely inconsistent application of the rules,” and accusing the FIA of “changing the race after the flag has fallen.” Mercedes is expected to appeal the decision.
Grid-Wide Summons: What Happened?
But Russell’s penalty is just the beginning.
The FIA’s dramatic decision to summon all 20 drivers relates to multiple incidents of drivers allegedly failing to adhere to safety car delta times, improper overtaking maneuvers under yellow flags, and potential breaches of the race director’s instructions under wet and variable conditions.
According to initial reports, the FIA obtained new telemetry and team radio data that suggested several drivers may have gained an unfair advantage during the early laps of the race, when a light rain shower led to widespread confusion and tire gambles.
A senior FIA official, speaking under anonymity, said:
> “What we saw today was borderline chaos. Multiple drivers appeared to be in breach of both delta time regulations and safety car formation protocols. For the integrity of the championship, we must investigate thoroughly — no exceptions.”
Driver Reactions: Confusion and Frustration
Reactions from the paddock have ranged from stunned silence to outright anger.
Lando Norris said, “We were all managing conditions and following what we were told. If everyone’s being investigated, maybe the system needs to change, not the drivers.”
World Champion Max Verstappen, who took the win with a measured drive, seemed less concerned. “If they want to talk, I’ll talk. I did my job. Nothing to worry about,” he stated confidently.
Lewis Hamilton, who finished third after a spirited late-race charge, commented diplomatically: “It’s not ideal to have all this uncertainty after a race. We need clarity, not chaos. The fans deserve to know who really won.”
FIA’s Response and What Comes Next
The FIA defended the broad nature of the summons, saying that “consistency and transparency are essential, especially in races with complex conditions.” It’s believed the governing body will conduct rapid hearings overnight with a possible release of findings before the next Grand Prix weekend.
In the meantime, final race classifications remain provisional, pending possible time penalties or point deductions across multiple teams.
What It Means for the Championship
The championship standings could shift dramatically depending on the FIA’s final decisions. If multiple drivers are penalized, it could open the door for mid-field teams like Aston Martin or Alpine to climb the standings.
This controversial and sweeping action by the FIA could be a watershed moment for Formula 1’s race governance — and may spark new calls for rulebook clarity and procedural reform.
For now, fans and teams alike are left waiting, wondering, and worrying: what exactly happened in Montreal — and who will pay the price?
