Russell retains Canadian Grand Prix victory as Red Bull protest is rejected

Red Bull have had a post-race protest lodged against George Russell following the Canadian Grand Prix – in relation to alleged incidents during the late-race Safety Car phase – rejected.

Russell had been leading the event from Max Verstappen when Lando Norris dramatically collided with McLaren team mate Oscar Piastri on Lap 67 of 70, resulting in Norris pulling off the track and out of the race.

This led to the Safety Car being deployed as the stricken McLaren was recovered. As the vehicle led the pack around the track, Russell accused Verstappen of overtaking him under the Safety Car, while Verstappen commented over the radio: “George erratically braked.”

It was later confirmed after the race – which saw Russell take the victory ahead of Verstappen – that Red Bull had protested Russell for “allegedly driving erratically under Safety Car and displaying unsportsmanlike behaviour by complaining that Car 1 had overtaken under Safety Car conditions."

Russell, Verstappen and their respective team representatives were subsequently summoned to the stewards and, after the hearing took place, it was confirmed that the protest had been rejected.

A document released following the hearing listed Red Bull’s claim that “during a Safety Car deployment the driver of Car 63 had braked unnecessarily along the back straight between Turns 12 and 13 as a result of which Car 1, which was following Car 63, overtook Car 63 and then dropped back behind Car 63 after Car 63 accelerated.”

The Milton Keynes-based outfit also alleged that “by complaining over team radio that Car 1 had overtaken him under Safety Car the driver of Car 63 had ‘displayed unsportsmanlike intent’”.

Mercedes’ arguments in defence were also listed, with Russell explaining that “periodic braking is commonplace and to be expected during Safety Car deployments to ensure that temperature is maintained in tyres and brakes.”

The Briton also stated that “he braked where he did for two reasons. First to ensure he kept a gap to the Safety Car. Secondly, to keep temperature in his brakes and tyres.” Mercedes also submitted that “what the driver of Car 63 had said over team radio was nothing other than factual.”

FIA Sporting Director Tim Malyon – attending on behalf of the FIA – explained that the incident had been observed by Race Control and “assessed to not warrant being reported to the stewards."

He also said that “periodic braking under Safety Car is typical and to be expected”, meaning that Race Control “always allows a degree of tolerance with respect to the 10 car length rule recognising that there is a need for a reasonable degree of braking and acceleration.”

After regarding this evidence, the stewards accepted Russell’s explanation of the incident and were satisfied that he “did not drive erratically by braking where he did or to the extent he did”, as well as adding that they did not believe he had engaged in unsportsmanlike conduct by reporting to the team that Verstappen had overtaken.

This resulted in the protest being rejected, meaning that the results of the race remained unchanged and Russell's victory was confirmed.