Mercedes’ George Russell may have claimed victory at the 2025 Canadian Grand Prix, but the win wasn’t sealed until hours later—following a dramatic protest by Red Bull and a thorough investigation by FIA stewards. Now, the FIA has officially explained why Max Verstappen wasn’t awarded the win, despite a controversial incident behind the safety car.
The Incident: Sharp Braking, Accusations, and a Protest
The controversy erupted late in the race following a crash between McLaren teammates Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, which brought out a safety car with just three laps remaining. While the field circulated slowly, a crucial moment occurred between Russell and Verstappen.
As they followed the safety car, Russell—leading the race—braked sharply on the back straight between Turns 12 and 13. Verstappen, running directly behind, momentarily passed the Mercedes before quickly falling back behind.
Over the radio, Verstappen complained, “George suddenly just aggressively braked,” while Red Bull engineer Gianpiero Lambiase responded, “We will check for any erratic driving.” Russell, on his side, also radioed in: “Verstappen just overtook me under the safety car.”
This sparked suspicion from both sides and led Red Bull to file an official protest.
Red Bull’s Claims
Red Bull’s protest targeted two points:
- Unsafe Braking by Russell: They argued Russell braked unnecessarily while leading under the safety car, creating a dangerous situation that forced Verstappen to overtake momentarily.
- Unsportsmanlike Conduct: Red Bull suggested that Russell intentionally baited Verstappen into overtaking under safety car conditions—then immediately reported it to his team, hoping for a penalty that could hand him the win.
Red Bull presented telemetry data, showing throttle and brake inputs, and highlighted that Russell checked his mirrors before braking—implying intent to provoke an error from Verstappen.
They also argued that since it was clear the race would end under safety car, there was no reason for Russell to brake that sharply or try to maintain tire temperature.
The FIA’s Verdict: No Action Against Russell
The stewards reviewed the data, radio communications, and statements from both teams—including Mercedes’ Ron Meadows and Andrew Shovlin, and Red Bull’s Gianpiero Lambiase, Max Verstappen, and sporting director Stephen Knowles. The FIA’s own sporting director Tim Malyon and race director Rui Marques were also present.
In the end, the FIA rejected Red Bull’s protest, stating there was no conclusive evidence that Russell’s actions were unsportsmanlike or intentionally provocative.
Key reasons for rejection included:
- No rule was breached as Verstappen gave the position back immediately.
- Russell’s braking was not extreme enough to be considered dangerous.
- There was no proof that Russell intended to manipulate race control via radio.
As a result, Russell’s victory was upheld, marking his fourth career win and a significant result for Mercedes.
The incident sparked heated debate in the paddock, with fans and pundits divided over the ethics of Russell’s driving. Was it gamesmanship or just a normal race scenario under unusual circumstances?
Red Bull clearly felt the incident warranted a harsher outcome—but the FIA’s stance sets a precedent: intent matters, and so does context.
Russell walks away a winner—not just on the track, but also in the stewards’ room.
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