Update: Russell's F1 Canadian GP win in doubt after Red Bull protest
Red Bull has lodged a protest against George Russell's win at the Canadian GP
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, George Russell, Mercedes
Photo by: Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images via Getty Images
UPDATE: The FIA stewards have given their decision, with Red Bull losing the appeal against Mercedes.
The Red Bull Formula 1 team has lodged a protest against the Canadian Grand Prix winner George Russell over his driving behind a late safety car.
Mercedes driver Russell and Red Bull's Max Verstappen finished first and second in Montreal, with Russell comfortably converting his pole into a first victory of the 2025 season.
The race finished under a safety car after a late collision between McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, with Norris' damaged car shredding debris along the start-finish straight.
As the drivers cruised behind the safety car there was some animosity from Verstappen, who felt Russell had been driving erratically by slowing down dramatically, forcing the world champion briefly past while approaching the final chicane.
The incident wasn't further discussed in the post-race interviews Russell and Verstappen were involved in, but Red Bull eventually decided to launch a protest against Russell. Red Bull boss Christian Horner confirmed it is connected to the safety car incident.
Red Bull also protested against Russell allegedly leaving more than 10 car lengths behind the safety car.
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, George Russell, Mercedes, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Photo by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
"There have been two protests that we've put to the stewards," Horner explained.
"Firstly relating to the erratic driving behind the safety car, where George very heavily braked, obviously looking at his mirror for Max.
"The second one is very clearly the distance that was left behind the safety car, that was at least three times in excess of the permitted distance.
"So, we've lodged the protest, it's with the stewards now, and we'll see what they say.
"It's certainly not personal [against] George. The regulations are very clear about the safety car. If you remember Checo [Perez] back in Singapore '22 got two penalties for it, so there were very clear precedents."
Both teams and drivers visited the stewards at 17:50 local Montreal time.
Share Or Save This Story
Red Bull appoints Lagrue as junior driver chief after Mercedes F1 exit
What McLaren thought of Piastri's explosive F1 Hungarian GP radio outburst
Why nationality should be 'no factor' as Haas considers Fornaroli and Camara for F1 2027
Verstappen on latest Red Bull woes: "Desperate? I'm already past that stage"
"You're not allowed to make a difference" – Verstappen says the fastest F1 drivers are penalised
The Red Bull seat nobody is talking about – and why that's the biggest compliment of all
What Red Bull's succession plans for Lambiase and Marko reveal about team's F1 future
Wolff admits Mercedes has most powerful F1 engine – and Red Bull agrees – as ADUO returns to spotlight
How Antonelli found half a second to thwart Verstappen in Belgian GP qualifying
The data behind Russell’s engine software issue that caused his Hungarian GP slow start
United Formula Ford battles add European flavour to USA Snetterton 300 event
Red Bull appoints Lagrue as junior driver chief after Mercedes F1 exit
Dome-led group launches bid to build next Super Formula car
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments