FIA Issues harsh punishment to George Russell After...

FIA Issues harsh punishment to George Russell After…read more

The FIA has officially concluded its investigation into George Russell following a potential rules infraction during Friday’s second practice session (FP2) at the 2025 Canadian Grand Prix. The Mercedes driver, who had topped the FP2 timesheets at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, was summoned to the stewards shortly after the session over an alleged violation of Article 12.2.1i of the FIA International Sporting Code and a failure to follow the Race Director’s Event Notes.

The stewards reviewed both onboard footage and external video evidence and later released a formal statement outlining the incident. According to Russell’s account, the incident occurred at Turn 13 after he had just exited the pits on fresh tyres. He explained that he lost control of the car’s rear end and was forced to veer left of the orange kerb at Turn 14 to avoid crashing into the wall. In doing so, he inadvertently crossed the orange line and failed to follow the prescribed escape route outlined in the event notes.

Russell admitted the mistake to the stewards and offered an apology, stating that his focus had been on avoiding an impact rather than strictly following the re-entry procedure. The stewards acknowledged that his actions were neither reckless nor posed a danger to other drivers. No other cars were affected by the maneuver, and his reentry onto the track was deemed safe.

Taking these factors into consideration, the stewards chose not to issue a penalty to Russell. Instead, he was given an official warning—a decision that aligns with previous rulings in similar free practice incidents at this track. The ruling serves as a reminder to all drivers about the importance of adhering to event-specific race director instructions, while also recognizing the need for common sense and safety in unpredictable track situations.

The outcome of the investigation comes as a relief for Russell and Mercedes, who are riding a wave of optimism heading into the remainder of the Canadian GP weekend. Russell’s strong performance in FP2, where he posted the fastest lap, has further fueled Mercedes’ momentum as they continue to chase Ferrari in the constructors’ championship standings. Currently third, Mercedes trails Ferrari by just six points—a gap they hope to close during Sunday’s race.

In addition to the team’s championship goals, Russell himself is under increased scrutiny as he looks to secure a contract extension with Mercedes. Team principal Toto Wolff has hinted at making a final decision on the 2026 driver lineup soon, and a solid weekend in Montreal could bolster Russell’s case to remain with the team.

With qualifying and the main race still to come, every session counts for Russell. Escaping this incident without a penalty gives him the chance to keep his focus firmly on performance. As Mercedes look to solidify their resurgence this season, Russell’s role remains central—not only for this weekend but for the team’s long-term future.