Red Bull's Russell protest over yellow flags is rejected by stewards

Mercedes Formula 1 driver George Russell has avoided any sanction after Red Bull protested that he had failed to slow under yellow flags during the Miami Grand Prix. 

Russell was ahead of Max Verstappen's Red Bull in third when Gabriel Bortoleto pulled off the road with power unit concerns, leading to a virtual safety car being deployed.

With Verstappen behind Russell, he got onto the team radio to complain: “Check if George lifted, it was a yellow.” 

There was no stewards’ investigation carried out on the incident during the race, which ended with Russell finishing on the final step of the podium and Verstappen crossing the line just over two seconds behind after being told to stay within five seconds by Red Bull, which was clearly planning on a protest.

Both Russell and Red Bull were summoned at 1915 local time, although Russell had earlier skipped press conference duties due to “medial reasons”.

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Photo by: Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images

The stewards said in their decision that it was “evident from the onboard footage as well as from telemetry that car 63 lifted the throttle when passing the yellow flag zone”, and was “considerably slower than the regular racing speed, but the absolute speed while passing through the yellow flag zone increased slightly”.

They also cited Article 26.1, saying that the reduction of speed in the zone essentially must be slower than regular race speed, and the driver demonstrates their acknowledgement of the yellow flag (by slowing down). 

“I think there was a situation in terms of yellow flags,” Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff said when asked about Red Bull’s message during the race.

“I think this is what Max said on the radio to check. I don't know…not that we are aware of it.”