Breaking:FIA Issues Verdict on George Russell Investigation Following C...read more

FIA announce George Russell punishment verdict at Canadian Grand Prix.

The FIA has concluded its investigation into George Russell following an incident during Friday’s second free practice session at the 2025 Canadian Grand Prix, announcing that the Mercedes driver will not face any penalty.

Formula 1 returned to the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve for the 10th round of the 2025 season, with Friday’s practice sessions setting the stage for what promises to be a competitive weekend. Russell ended Free Practice 2 at the top of the timesheets, demonstrating strong pace as Mercedes look to close the gap on championship rivals.

However, Russell’s day was interrupted when he was summoned to the stewards after allegedly breaching Article 12.2.1i of the FIA International Sporting Code and failing to follow specific instructions outlined in the Race Director’s Event Notes. The issue arose from his approach to Turn 14 during the session.

According to the official FIA statement, Russell had just exited the pit lane on a new set of tyres when he lost control of his car at Turn 13. In an effort to avoid crashing into the barriers, he took evasive action and crossed over the orange kerb on the inside of Turn 14, which violated the instructions laid out in Item 17.3 of the Race Director’s notes. These notes clearly outlined that drivers were to use the designated escape road if they went off at this section of the track.

After reviewing video footage, including onboard camera angles, and speaking with both Russell and a Mercedes team representative, the stewards acknowledged that Russell’s actions were a split-second decision made in the interest of safety. He immediately recognised the breach, expressed regret, and confirmed that no other cars were impacted by his reentry to the circuit, which was deemed safe.

Taking these factors into account, the stewards concluded that a formal penalty was not warranted. Instead, they issued a warning to the British driver, aligning with similar judgments made for comparable infractions during practice sessions at the same venue.

This outcome is a relief for both Russell and the Mercedes team, who are enjoying a promising weekend so far. The 27-year-old driver’s strong performance in FP2 — finishing ahead of title contenders — suggests that Mercedes could be in the mix for a top finish on Sunday.

The timing is significant. Mercedes have recently climbed to third in the Constructors’ Championship, trailing Ferrari by just six points. With the driver market heating up and team principal Toto Wolff facing decisions about the 2026 lineup, every strong showing from Russell could influence the outcome of his contract talks, which remain unresolved.

As the Canadian Grand Prix weekend continues, Russell will be aiming to carry his momentum into qualifying and deliver a strong race result — both for his team’s championship ambitions and his own future in Formula 1.