BREAKING: FIA Confirm Red Bull Protest at Miami GP Over George Russell’s C… Read more
FIA Confirm Red Bull Protest Over George Russell’s Conduct in Miami Grand Prix
In a dramatic twist following Sunday’s Miami Grand Prix, the FIA have confirmed that Red Bull Racing have launched an official protest against George Russell, claiming the Mercedes driver breached yellow flag regulations during the race. If the protest is upheld, the ramifications could significantly alter the final podium standings.
Russell, who finished third behind Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc, is accused of failing to sufficiently slow down under yellow flag conditions in the closing stages of the race. Max Verstappen, who came home in fourth for Red Bull, was just under five seconds behind the Briton at the chequered flag. Should stewards determine that Russell gained an advantage or did not comply with the rules, a time penalty could be imposed, promoting Verstappen to third and demoting Russell from the podium.
The protest centers on a moment during the 48th lap when yellow flags were waved following Logan Sargeant’s collision at Turn 8. According to Red Bull, telemetry data and on-board footage allegedly show that Russell did not reduce speed sufficiently through the affected sector, potentially breaching Article 2.5.5 of Appendix H of the FIA International Sporting Code, which mandates a significant reduction in speed and preparedness to change direction under yellow flags.
Red Bull’s Team Principal Christian Horner confirmed the protest during post-race interviews. “We’ve reviewed the data and believe there’s a legitimate case that George did not respect the yellow flag rules in the final stages of the race,” Horner said. “We owe it to Max and the team to ensure that every regulation is applied fairly. This is not about gamesmanship—it’s about the integrity of the rules.”
Russell, who has been summoned by the stewards for a hearing, expressed surprise at the protest. “I’m confident I followed all procedures correctly. I saw the yellow flags, lifted as required, and didn’t feel like I gained any advantage,” he said when asked about the potential infraction. “But of course, I’ll cooperate fully with the stewards and trust in the process.”
The FIA, for their part, released a short statement confirming receipt of the protest from Red Bull and noted that the matter would be reviewed immediately. “Car #63, driven by George Russell, has been summoned in relation to alleged non-compliance with yellow flag conditions. The stewards will assess evidence provided by all parties and render a decision in due course.”
A decision is expected imminently, with the outcome having direct implications for the race result, the Drivers’ Championship standings, and the momentum of the 2025 Formula 1 season.
For Verstappen, a potential third-place finish would mark his 99th career podium and offer valuable points in his title defense. Currently, the Dutchman holds a slender lead over both Leclerc and Norris in the standings, with every point becoming increasingly crucial in what is shaping up to be a tightly contested season.
Mercedes, meanwhile, could be facing their first podium loss of the year if the decision goes against Russell. Team boss Toto Wolff expressed caution, saying, “We are confident in George’s compliance with the regulations, but we will respect the FIA’s process and await their findings.”
As the paddock awaits the verdict, tensions remain high in Miami. The FIA’s decision will not only influence the outcome of this race but could set a precedent for the enforcement of yellow flag infractions going forward.
