Drama in Canada:FIA Issues harsh penalty on George Russell after…read more
Drama in Canada:FIA Issues harsh penalty on George Russell after…read more
The FIA has released its decision regarding Mercedes Formula 1 driver George Russell following an investigation at the 2025 Canadian Grand Prix. The stewards had summoned the Briton after an alleged breach of Article 12.2.1i of the International Sporting Code and failure to follow specific instructions laid out in the Race Director’s Event Notes.
Russell had a strong showing in Montreal, topping the timesheets in the second free practice session on Friday at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. However, his performance was quickly overshadowed by a summons from the race stewards. The investigation centered on an incident during FP2 where Russell was suspected of failing to comply with escape route procedures at Turn 14.
After reviewing video footage, including in-car camera angles, and hearing from both Russell and a Mercedes team representative, the FIA released an official statement clarifying the situation. According to the stewards, Russell had just exited the pits on fresh tyres when he lost control of the car heading into Turn 13. In an attempt to avoid crashing into the wall, he veered left of the orange kerb at the inside of Turn 14, cutting the designated line.
Russell explained that his primary focus was on avoiding damage to the car and that he immediately realized he had not adhered to the instructions outlined in the event notes. He apologized to the stewards for the error, emphasizing that no other drivers were affected and that his re-entry onto the track was not unsafe.
Taking into account the context of the incident and similar cases from previous free practice sessions at the Canadian Grand Prix, the stewards decided that a formal punishment was not warranted. Instead, Russell was issued a warning, which aligns with precedents set for comparable infractions.
The warning comes as a relief for Russell and the Mercedes team, who are looking to carry momentum into the rest of the race weekend. With Mercedes currently sitting third in the Constructors’ Championship—only six points behind Ferrari—the team is aiming for a strong result in Montreal to close the gap.
The situation also has broader implications for Russell, who is still awaiting confirmation of a contract extension with Mercedes. Team principal Toto Wolff is reportedly nearing a decision on the team’s driver lineup beyond the 2025 season, and every solid performance helps strengthen Russell’s position.
The race director had previously issued a detailed set of instructions for all drivers regarding track limits and escape routes, specifically noting that Turn 14 required the use of an escape road in the event of an off-track excursion. While Russell did not comply with this directive during the FP2 session, the FIA’s lenient response suggests the violation was viewed as unintentional and without competitive advantage.
With qualifying and the main race still to come, the Canadian Grand Prix presents an important opportunity for Russell to continue proving his value, both in the championship battle and within the Mercedes team structure.
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