Showing posts with label George Russell. Show all posts
Showing posts with label George Russell. Show all posts
Monday, 7 September 2026
Saturday, 22 August 2026
VERSTAPPEN, ANTONELLI AND MULTIPLE DRIVERS CLEARED BY FIA INVESTIGATION
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| Photo: Red Bull Content Pool |
The FIA have cleared 11 drivers of infringements during sprint qualifying at the Dutch Grand Prix.
Half the grid was noted for failing to follow the maximum delta time of 1:28.0.
Verstappen one of 11 drivers cleared by FIA
They were: Esteban Ocon, Arvid Lindblad, Carlos Sainz, Lance Stroll, Gabriel Bortoleto, Max Verstappen, George Russell, Kimi Antonelli, Pierre Gasly and Valtteri Bottas.
The investigation took place after the session, with all of the drivers cleared.
The FIA said in a statement: "The Stewards thoroughly reviewed Marshalling/Positioning data, timing data, on-board cameras and CCTV cameras.
"All drivers concerned stayed at or above speeds necessary to stay below 1:28.0 around the vast majority of the circuit.
"However, in all cases the Stewards determined that the drivers took appropriate actions to not impede other drivers, and in all cases, they slowed down significantly to allow other drivers to pass while giving those drivers a clear track.
"The Stewards therefore determine that all drivers concerned did not drive 'unnecessarily slowly', and that they were above the maximum time because they took appropriate steps, and we therefore take no further action.
"Competitors are reminded that they have the right to appeal certain decisions of the Stewards, in accordance with Article 15 of the FIA International Sporting Code and Chapter 5 of the FIA Judicial and Disciplinary Rules, within the applicable time limits.
"Decisions of the Stewards are taken independently of the FIA and are based solely on the relevant regulations, guidelines and evidence presented."
Russell, who was under investigation, took pole position for the sprint race, which will take place tomorrow at 12:00 PM CEST.
The investigation was Verstappen's second of the session after he was cleared for a potential impeding incident with long-time rival Lewis Hamilton.
The FIA stewards noted the potential infringement in SQ1 when Verstappen and Hamilton came close together at Turn 3.
Eventually, the stewards announced that no further action would be taken.
The full results from sprint qualifying are as follows, with the drivers who were under investigation in bold.
- Connor Andrews
Tuesday, 11 August 2026
MERCEDES CHIEF SEND CLEAR WARNING TO GEORGE RUSSELL AND KIMI ANTONELLI AHEAD OF F1 RETURN
Mercedes deputy technical director Simone Resta has issued a warning to George Russell and Kimi Antonelli about their chances of winning the F1 world championship.
At the halfway point of a thrilling F1 campaign, Mercedes have established a lead at the top of the constructors' championship, largely thanks to Antonelli's incredible form.
The 19-year-old has won six of the 11 Grands Prix, including nine podiums, with the teenager recording a third-place finish at the Hungarian Grand Prix last time out.
Despite leading throughout the opening months of the season, Mercedes' dominant streak did come to an end before the summer shutdown, with five different drivers tasting victory in the races leading up to the August break.
Lewis Hamilton is enjoying a strong resurgence with Ferrari, and he's currently 50 points behind Antonelli in the race for the drivers' championship as he aims to win his eighth world title.
Ferrari have also closed the gap to 72 points behind Mercedes in the constructors' table, setting up a potentially thrilling second half of the season.
The seven-time world champion is the most likely to threaten Antonelli's dominance, and Mercedes deputy technical director Simone Resta has warned their drivers that they will face more "intense battles" once the action resumes in Zandvoort on August 23.
"History tells us that the championship always changes after the summer shutdown," Resta told Mercedes' Nu Silver Arrows Radio Show.
"The pressure increases on the teams that are leading, but equally it increases on the teams trying to catch up. The environment becomes more intense, and every result carries more weight. That's when you really see the strength and resilience of an organisation.
"It's where teams demonstrate whether they can handle the pressure and continue performing when the stakes become higher. I'm very interested to see that phase of the season unfold because it's often where championships are ultimately won or lost."
Mercedes have let a healthy advantage at the top slip in recent weeks, with reliability woes and a convergence in race pace allowing the chasing pack to close in.
But Resta is doing his best to keep the team grounded, as there is a long way to go before they can think about winning their ninth constructors' championship.
Kimi Antonelli backed to become like George Russell
Antonelli's mesmeric performances across the F1 campaign have featured an aggressive style, and this fearlessness has played a huge part in his dominance.
Teammate Russell, on the other hand - currently 59 points behind the Italian - has been calmer rather than aggressive with his displays.
According to former F1 driver Thierry Boutsen, Antonelli's approach is no different from how Russell drove at the start of his career.
"I think if you take George from his first F1 season, he would have been as aggressive as Kimi," Boutsen said.
"But he’s learned a lot, he’s calmed down also, he’s got more maturity. He races a totally different way. I believe that Kimi will be the same in three, four years. He will drive very differently to today."
Antonelli has been tipped to adapt his style as he gets older, but right now, his assertiveness and bravery on the track has held the key to a stunning campaign so far.
Featured Image Credit: Getty Images
- Thomas Griffin
Monday, 27 July 2026
Monday, 20 July 2026
GEORGE RUSSELL BLAMES A MERCEDES POWER FAILURE, NOT LEWIS HAMILTON, FOR HIS BELGIAN GRAND PRIX TITLE BLOW
- George Russell retired from the Belgian Grand Prix on lap one after colliding with Lewis Hamilton, but he pinned the cause on a Mercedes power problem rather than his former teammate
- Hamilton received a five-second penalty for the clash, yet both drivers agreed afterward that it was a racing incident
- Toto Wolff confirmed all Mercedes engines lacked power on the straights in the race, extending a pattern of reliability issues that has cost the team points all season
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| Getty Images |
George Russell’s Belgian Grand Prix ended on the opening lap, but the Mercedes driver said a problem with his own car, rather than the collision that put him in the gravel, was the real cause of his retirement.
Russell started third at Spa-Francorchamps and held the position through the first corner before Lewis Hamilton passed him along the Kemmel Straight. Russell moved to the outside of Hamilton into the braking zone at Les Combes to try to reclaim the place, the pair made contact, and Russell was spun into the gravel and out of the race. Hamilton received a five-second penalty for the collision, but Russell placed no blame on his former Mercedes teammate.
‘I Just Got Totally Swallowed Up Down the Straight’
“I just got totally swallowed up down the straight,” Russell told Sky Sports F1. “I lost three positions down the straight down into Turn Five and then the incident was a racing incident.”
“Maybe I could have gone a bit wider, maybe he (Hamilton) could have braked a bit more. The incident shouldn’t have happened if I had the speed down the straight,” Russell added. “Very, very disappointed.”
The collision followed a qualifying session in which Russell had already flagged a lack of power, finishing more than half a second off pole-sitter Kimi Antonelli in fourth. He had spent Thursday’s media day discussing changes to his driving style to try to find lost time in this year’s cars, only to reverse that thinking on Saturday and conclude his technique was not the problem.
“I appreciate everyone is working hard to solve the problem, but I’m stood here [in the TV interview pen] on lap five of the race,” Russell said when asked how Mercedes could get to the bottom of the issue. “It felt like I was in a good position to fight for the lead up to Turn One and then, suddenly, no power and it’s all gone.”
Hamilton Agrees It Was Nobody’s Fault
Hamilton, who went on to finish fourth carrying the penalty and separate front-wing damage, echoed Russell’s read on the incident once the race was over.
“Ultimately, sorry for George because that obviously ended his race, but I did think… I do agree that it was a racing incident,” Hamilton said. “It’s not like I went in aggressive and was misplaced or anything like that. I think it was just an unfortunate scenario, which happens in racing. Then I had damage as well, so I carried that through the race. It was a tough one.”
Wolff Confirms a Problem Across the Whole Grid
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff went further than Russell in explaining what had gone wrong, confirming that every Mercedes-powered car on the grid had lost straight-line performance in the race. As well as building their own engines, Mercedes also supply McLaren, Alpine and Williams with power units.
“The accident that happened was unfortunate for us. We lost a lot of constructors’ points and George’s drivers’ points,” Wolff told Sky Sports F1. “We had an issue on all Mercedes engines that we lacked the power out on the straights. That hit him badly and it 100 per cent goes on us.”
“We are trying our best as a team. We have the most powerful power unit, a strong car that is capable of winning,” Wolff added. “Everyone is giving their maximum to minimise the mistakes and still it happens because we are humans at work.”
A Season Defined by Reliability, Not Pace
Russell’s retirement at Spa was his second of the season following an engine failure in Canada. His teammate Kimi Antonelli has had his own share of mechanical trouble, retiring in Barcelona after an engine failure and dropping from a likely victory to outside the points at Silverstone after a wheel-guard failure.
“We let Kimi down at Silverstone where George got a podium, which is maybe better than the result should have been,” Wolff said. “Then one DNF for Montreal, the other in Barcelona. That’s a little bit of the story of our season. It’s a technical sport, a mechanical sport.”
“We came out with a product [power unit] that is so strong and I’d rather fix the reliability rather than accelerate a slow engine, or slow car,” he continued. “We are giving it 100 per cent and need to give it 100 per cent because we lost a lot of points with reliability. We should be much further ahead than we are.”
Championship Fallout
The result dropped Russell 50 points behind championship leader Antonelli, and Hamilton’s fourth place moved him back ahead of Russell into second in the standings, 45 points off the lead.
- Jack Renn
Sunday, 19 July 2026
FIA PUNISH LEWIS HAMILTON AFTER DRAMATIC GEORGE RUSSELL COLLISION AT BELGIAN GRAND PRIX
Lewis Hamilton has been punished by the FIA after a dramatic collision with George Russell at the Belgian Grand Prix.
George Russell was involved in a dramatic collision on the opening lap of the Belgian Grand Prix with Lewis Hamiliton, leading to a punishment for the seven-time world champion.
The Mercedes driver has seen his bid for the 2026 drivers’ championship take another hit as he has had to retire from the race this weekend at Spa.
It means that he will receive no points for his world championship bid, seeing him lose ground on his teammate and title rival Kimi Antonelli if the Italian driver were to finish the race.
Before the red lights went out, the gap between the title rivals was 25 points, but this is expected to grow if all goes to plan for Antonelli.
Hamilton appeared to be at fault for the incident; at least that is the reading from the FIA, as they have given the Ferrari driver a five-second penalty for causing the incident.
The seven-time world champion will now serve that penalty when he enters the pit, with his team not being allowed to touch his car until the car has been sat stationary for five seconds.
Hamilton was straight on the team radio to defend his actions in the incident, as he said: “Car crossed over in front of me. I was right behind another car, so I had no front end.”
Russell appeared to be quite emotional in his interview with Sky Sports after the collision, after getting back to the pits following the collision.
He said: "I just got totally swallowed up down the straight," Russell told reporters back in the Spa paddock, before Hamilton was issued with a five-second penalty by the stewards.
"I lost three positions down the straight down into turn 5 and then the incident was a racing incident. Maybe I could have gone a bit wider or he could have braked a bit more.
"The incident wouldn't have happened if I had the speed down the straight. I'm very, very disappointed."
Hamilton’s Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc was involved in a collision just a number of laps later at the same corner, as he made contact with McLaren’s Oscar Piastri.
Leclerc would then progress past the Australian at the corner, and it appeared that this had an impact on the McLaren car as Hamilton, who was nearby during the incident, also overtook Piastri within a couple of laps following the incident.
However, while the seven-time world champion got a punishment from the FIA for his collision, Leclerc would not.
Featured Image Credit: Getty Images
- Brendan McGilligan
Saturday, 18 July 2026
Monday, 6 July 2026
POINTS AT THE BRITISH GRAND PRIX 🇬🇧*
Charles Leclerc wins at Silverstone for the first time in his career, ending a victory drought that dated back to the 2024 US Grand Prix! George Russell secured his first home podium, joined by Lewis Hamilton in third after the pair battled throughout the race. Max Verstappen retired after a late trip into the gravel, while championship leader Kimi Antonelli limped home with car issues 🤯
📊 Here’s the race report: https://f1.com/GB26-RaceWA
-F1
Saturday, 4 July 2026
Sunday, 28 June 2026
Saturday, 27 June 2026
Tuesday, 23 June 2026
Wednesday, 17 June 2026
MERCEDES GRANTED FIA HEARING OVER GEORGE RUSSELL'S MONACO F1 PENALTY
The FIA has confirmed Mercedes' request for a review of the Monaco Grand Prix results, with a hearing scheduled for this Saturday ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix
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| George Russell, Mercedes Photo by: Erik Junius |
The FIA has accepted Mercedes' request for a review of the Monaco Grand Prix result and George Russell's penalties, with a hearing scheduled for this Saturday, following Alpine's successful overturning of Pierre Gasly's penalties.
A document published by the FIA on Wednesday confirmed that Mercedes has lodged a Right of Review petition regarding the decision made by the Monaco stewards following Alpine's successful challenge against the penalties issued during the race.
That puts the Monaco Grrand Prix result in further doubt after it was already amended last week.
The hearing will take place in two stages. As per the regulations, the stewards will first determine whether Mercedes has presented a "significant and relevant new element" that was unavailable at the time of the original decision. If that threshold is met, the case will proceed to a second hearing, where the substance of the challenge will be considered.
The latest development follows the dramatic twist in the Monaco Grand Prix result that saw Gasly's two pitlane speeding penalties overturned.
Several drivers were penalised during the race for allegedly exceeding the 60km/h pitlane speed limit. Gasly received two separate five-second penalties, dropping him from a podium finish to seventh place in the final classification.
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| Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images Pierre Gasly, Alpine |
However, Alpine successfully challenged those penalties after presenting evidence that the distance used by the official timing system in one of the pitlane timing sectors was incorrect for the Monaco pitlane layout. Formula One Management acknowledged the issue, admitting the timing system had been set up incorrectly, leading the stewards to rescind both penalties and restore Gasly to third place.
That decision immediately raised questions about the cases of other drivers who had received penalties under the same circumstances.
While the FIA stewards have not yet formally established that Russell's penalty was unjustified, the fact that FOM acknowledged the timing system was working incorrectly strongly suggests the Mercedes driver may also have been incorrectly penalised for speeding in the pitlane.
Russell was initially handed a five-second penalty for pitlane speeding. He then attempted to serve that penalty during a pitstop, but the stewards later determined that the penalty had not been served correctly. As a result, he received an additional drive-through penalty, which he served after the final restart.
The sequence dropped Russell out of the points, turning what had been a solid points-scoring afternoon into a point-less finish.
The consequences extended beyond Monaco itself, as Russell lost significant ground in the drivers' championship, with the zero score proving particularly costly in his battle against team-mate Kimi Antonelli.
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| Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images George Russell, Mercedes |
Two other teams are understood to be challenging what is now a provisional Monaco Grand Prix result, with McLaren having already confirmed on Tuesday that it has formally protested the decision to overturn Gasly's penalties.
Its driver Oscar Piastri was also penalised during the race but, unlike Gasly, served his penalty during the grand prix. As a result, the decision to reinstate Gasly's original race time effectively dropped Piastri from fourth to fifth in the final classification.
Red Bull has not confirmed that it has protested last week's stewards' decision, but it is understood to have done so as well, as it seeks to restore Isack Hadjar's podium finish.
Hadjar originally inherited third place after Gasly's penalties were applied, before losing the position again when the Alpine driver's sanctions were rescinded.
Following the stewards' decision to cancel Gasly's penalties, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff confirmed the team's intention to continue challenging the Monaco result.
While admitting it was a long shot to have Russell's result revised, Wolff stressed that Mercedes would explore every possible avenue to secure a better outcome for its driver.
Although Russell ultimately finished outside the top 10 after serving a drive-through penalty, he had been running third on the road before the sanction was applied.
Wolff suggested there may be a mechanism to revisit the result by converting Russell's drive-through penalty into an equivalent time penalty. Under the sporting regulations, a drive-through penalty that cannot be served during a race is converted into a 20-second addition to a driver's race time.
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| Guido De Bortoli / LAT Images via Getty Images George Russell, Mercedes, Lando Norris, McLaren |
"A drive-through, if it didn't happen at the end, is equivalent of 20 seconds race time," Wolff said. "What would 20 seconds race time have meant for his result? Do we think that we realistically have a position, a chance of reverting the result? I don't think so, but we definitely have to give it a go if we see that there is a millimetre of chance to do so and bring him back to whatever it was before."
Wolff was referring to Article B1.9.6.c.iii of the sporting regulations, which covers situations where a driver is unable to serve a drive-through penalty during a race. In such cases, 20 seconds are added to the driver's final race time.
The Mercedes boss argued that the same principle could potentially be used in reverse if the original speeding penalty is ultimately deemed invalid. Under that interpretation, Russell's drive-through could effectively be converted into a 20-second race-time adjustment, potentially moving him back into the points-paying positions.
Whether the stewards have the regulatory scope to apply such a solution remains unclear, but it is one of the possible avenues Mercedes could pursue in its attempt to recover some of the ground Russell lost in Monaco.
- Oleg Karpov
Saturday, 13 June 2026
Thursday, 4 June 2026
FORMULA 1 MONACO GRAND PRIX 2026: MERCEDES RIVALRY HEATS UP, FERRARI LURKING
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| Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect |
Moving from the thrilling speeds of Montreal to the complex layout of Monte Carlo, Formula 1 shifts gears this weekend, offering a stark difference in racing styles. Monaco stands out as a highly esteemed jewel on the racing calendar, a win every driver wants to put on their resume.
With Mercedes facing internal conflicts, Ferrari exuding confidence, and the FIA implementing subtle rule changes specific to this circuit, the scene is prepared for an exciting Monaco Grand Prix in 2026.
Let’s explore the captivating storylines unfolding as F1 returns to Europe for this legendary race.
The Mercedes Problem Toto Wolff Can’t Ignore Much Longer
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| IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect |
Toto Wolff is grappling with a challenge that most team principals would welcome, with a big caveat.
Kimi Antonelli emerged victorious in Canada for the fourth consecutive time, jumping out to a comfortable 43-point lead in the driver’s championship hunt. But what truly stood out in Montreal was how he won his fourth-straight race. The young Italian and his teammate George Russell engaged in intense battles throughout the weekend in Montreal, constantly exchanging positions during both the sprint race and the Grand Prix until Russell’s engine failed on lap 29. It was captivating drama for race fans but a daunting task for those responsible for keeping both cars intact for the remainder of the season.
There was a close call on Saturday when Antonelli ran wide at Turn 1, skidding across the grass and narrowly avoiding collecting Russell on his return to the track. Wolff intervened over the radio to calm the young driver down. While they raced more cleanly on Sunday, the near-misses continued to accumulate. The upcoming race in Monaco presents a challenging scenario where there is minimal room for error and even less opportunity for recovery.
The pressing question on everyone’s mind is whether Wolff will establish clear rules of engagement before the situation escalates beyond repair. Russell hinted to reporters after the Canadian race that the championship was Antonelli’s to lose, a statement typically made when one is not convinced of its accuracy. Considering Antonelli’s struggles in Monaco last year, Russell must aim to start narrowing the 43-point gap on Saturday.
Ferrari Smells a Win, Leclerc Smells Home
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| IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect |
Following their Montreal outing, Ferrari is entering Monaco with a newfound sense of confidence, hinting at a potential breakthrough this weekend. While Lewis Hamilton’s notable second-place finish stood out in Montreal, Charles Leclerc, though not matching that speed, boasts a strong history at his home race in Monte Carlo. The Monegasque driver typically shines on this renowned track and Ferrari is marking his return with a distinctive race attire and cap.
The Ferrari SF-26 showcased impressive performance in slow turns during the Canadian Grand Prix, a trait that fits well with the demands of Monaco’s circuit. McLaren and Mercedes have both pinpointed Ferrari as the team to challenge in Monaco, highlighting the significance of chassis performance over engine power on this track. With Leclerc’s exceptional skills in single-lap racing and a resurgent Hamilton by his side, Ferrari has an opportunity to clinch its first win of the season at this prestigious location.
A Special Regulation Adjustment for F1 in Monaco
Formula 1 has introduced a temporary change to its regulations for the Monaco Grand Prix to bolster safety. The new measure involves deactivating the active aerodynamics feature called straight mode, which enables drivers to adjust their front and rear wings on straights to lessen drag, akin to the past DRS system.
For the Monaco race, straight mode has been completely disabled by the FIA, prioritizing safety concerns despite the historical use of DRS at Monaco in previous seasons. Drivers will still have access to overtake mode, providing an energy boost to those close to the car ahead. Additionally, the energy deployment plan has been adjusted for the narrow Monaco track, with the MGU-K hybrid boost now tapering off at 200 km/h instead of 290 km/h. This adjustment will lead the cars to produce more downforce than at any other point this season on straight paths, introducing a new challenge for drivers as they approach the harbor. This unexpected change brings an element of unpredictability to a race weekend typically known for its predictability.
The Importance of Qualifying in Monaco
For newcomers to Formula 1 seeking to understand the significance of Saturday at the Monaco Grand Prix, the reason is simple: overtaking is extremely difficult on this track. With 19 corners packed into the 2.074-mile circuit, minimal high-speed stretches, and few overtaking chances, securing a good position on the track is crucial.
Lando Norris is the defending champion, while Ayrton Senna holds the record for the most wins on these demanding streets with six victories. The task is straightforward in theory but demanding in practice. Drivers must deliver during qualifying on each lap, aware that even a small mistake could lead to contact with the barriers and an early end to their race. While strategy, safety car appearances, and track position are vital on race day, the groundwork for success is laid during qualifying, well before the race starts.
Increased Traffic Issues on an Already Crowded Circuit
An important development, though seemingly minor, is the increase to 22 cars competing on the narrowest track in Formula 1.
Cadillac’s entry this season expanded the grid to 22 contenders, heightening the challenge during qualifying sessions, especially in Q1 when all cars are simultaneously aiming for a clear lap. Finding room to set a fast lap without obstructing others is already a tough task for strategists on a regular weekend, but the Monaco circuit makes it even tougher.
Practice sessions offer limited relief, as cars operate at different speeds and fuel loads, potentially disrupting drivers on flying laps. Anticipate hearing frustrated radio transmissions as drivers grapple with blocked laps, which can lead to a significant grid penalty in Monaco, where track position is crucial for race success.
- SCOTT GULBRANSEN
Monday, 25 May 2026
Sunday, 24 May 2026
Saturday, 23 May 2026
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