George Russell was called before the stewards after Red Bull lodged a protest claiming he failed to reduce speed under yellow flags during the Miami Grand Prix. The incident occurred when Gabriel Bortoleto retired from the race due to power unit problems, which triggered a virtual safety car. At that moment, Russell was running in third place ahead of Max Verstappen.
Verstappen, pursuing Russell closely, radioed his team to verify whether Russell had eased off the throttle, reminding them of the yellow flag conditions. Despite these concerns, no investigation took place during the race itself, with Russell ultimately securing the final podium spot and Verstappen finishing just over two seconds behind. Red Bull’s warning over team radio to Verstappen to stay within five seconds suggested preparations for a formal protest.
Both George Russell and representatives from Red Bull were summoned to attend a stewards’ meeting at 7:15 pm local time. Earlier, Russell had withdrawn from press duties, citing “medical reasons.” Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff acknowledged the situation, remarking,
I think there was a situation in terms of yellow flags. I think this is what Max said on the radio to check. I don’t know… not that we are aware of it.
The outcome of this hearing could have significant implications for George Russell’s race result and the championship standings, intensifying the tension between Mercedes and Red Bull. Fans and teams alike await the decision, knowing it may influence how yellow flag compliance is enforced moving forward in the fiercely competitive Formula 1 environment.
