George Russell Hit with Double Blow After C....read more

George Russell Hit with Double Blow After Canadian GP Drama

George Russell’s weekend in Montreal has taken a dramatic downturn after the FIA slapped the Mercedes star with not one, but two punishments following a series of misjudgments during the Canadian Grand Prix sessions.

For Russell, who’s been pushing hard to get Mercedes back in the fight for podiums this season, the timing couldn’t have been worse. A promising start to the weekend was overshadowed by a combination of pit lane infringements and procedural missteps that caught the attention of FIA officials.

The first punishment came after Russell exceeded the pit lane speed limit twice in quick succession—minor infringements by raw numbers, but enough to irritate the stewards given recent warnings across the paddock about tighter enforcement. What followed was a formal warning for failing to follow Race Director instructions during FP2, after an off-track excursion raised eyebrows in the control room.

Speaking after the penalties were issued, Russell appeared frustrated but composed. “It’s disappointing, of course. We push hard, we live on the edge out there, and sometimes these small things catch you out. But it won’t affect how we attack the race tomorrow.”

While the penalties don’t carry grid drops or serious race-day consequences, they add to a growing sense of tension between drivers and officials over what’s seen by many as increasingly heavy-handed officiating this season.

For Russell and Mercedes, the focus now shifts fully to the main event—where they’ll need to shake off this double setback and aim for a comeback on Canadian soil.