Breaking: George Russell Flags Ride Height Issue, Aims to Save Antonelli from Imola GP Disqualification…read more
George Russell shows strong leadership at the Imola Grand Prix by identifying a potential ride height issue with teammate Kimi Antonelli’s car, helping Mercedes avoid possible disqualification due to plank wear.
Mercedes driver George Russell once again showed why he’s considered a strong team player during the Imola Grand Prix weekend by raising a key concern about his teammate Kimi Antonelli’s car during practice.
As the Formula 1 calendar rolled into Italy, all eyes were on 18-year-old Antonelli, who is racing in front of his home crowd at the iconic Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari for the very first time. The young Italian is hoping to impress with a podium finish, cheered on by family, friends, and fans. Despite being new to the F1 grid, Antonelli has shown remarkable composure and consistency in his rookie season, earning points in multiple races.
But it was George Russell, the more experienced Mercedes driver, who made headlines during Friday’s Free Practice 1 (FP1). While out on track, the 27-year-old Brit noticed something off with Antonelli’s car and immediately alerted the team via radio.
“Lots of bottoming and plank wear from Kimi, exit turn four, entry turn five,” Russell reported.
This might sound like a minor observation, but in the world of Formula 1, it could make the difference between finishing a race and facing disqualification.
Why Ride Height and Plank Wear Matter
Russell’s alert points to an issue with the ride height of Antonelli’s car. Ride height refers to the distance between the car’s underbody and the track surface. If it’s too low, the wooden plank under the car—designed to limit how close a car can run to the ground—can wear down excessively due to friction. This is referred to as “plank wear.”
The FIA, Formula 1’s governing body, enforces strict rules regarding plank wear. If post-race checks find the plank has worn down beyond the permitted limit, the driver is disqualified—no exceptions. It’s a hard lesson that stars like Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc learned the hard way, both being disqualified from the 2023 United States Grand Prix for this exact reason. More recently, Nico Hulkenberg of Sauber was also disqualified at the 2025 Bahrain Grand Prix for similar plank wear violations.
Russell’s Leadership Shines
With Lewis Hamilton now gone from Mercedes, Russell has stepped into a leadership role at the Silver Arrows. His performance this season has been impressive, securing four podiums in the first six races. Together with Antonelli’s surprising consistency, Mercedes currently sit second in the Constructors’ Championship standings.
Russell’s quick thinking at Imola demonstrates both his experience and his commitment to the team. By identifying the ride height issue early in practice, he may have saved Antonelli from a potential disqualification on race day. The team is now likely to raise the car’s ride height slightly for the rest of the weekend to ensure compliance with FIA rules.
For Antonelli, this support from his teammate is invaluable. As he gears up for what could be a memorable race in front of his home fans, he can focus on performance knowing that Russell has his back when it comes to the finer details.
This kind of teamwork is exactly what Mercedes needs as they chase Red Bull in the championship fight. And for Antonelli, it’s another lesson in what it takes to succeed at the highest level of motorsport.
