Russell discovers Canada GP penalty decision after being summoned to stewards
George Russell was forced to explain himself to the stewards on Friday but avoid any penalty in Canada despite not sticking to the race director's instructions
George Russell has escaped with a warning after he was forced to explain himself to the stewards during Friday's practice session before the Canadian Grand Prix. The Mercedes driver used an escape road at Turn 14, but didn't comply totally with the race director's instructions.
Russell was the quickest man on Friday as he set an impressive lap time in Montreal. However as he exited the pits for one of his runs the Brit was forced to take evasive action. After losing the rear at Turn 13 he ended up cutting the kerb at the following corner.
The Mercedes star - who continues to face speculation over his future - was required to visit the stewards to explain his actions. In the past, misdemeanours in practice on a Friday have resulted in grid penalties, which would've been less than ideal.
However Russell was only handed a warning as he explained his main motivation was to keep the car out of the wall but quickly clocked he had not followed the instructions. He apologised with the stewards saying their decision was "consistent with earlier decisions for similar infringements."
Russell's actions didn't impact any of the other drivers on track nor was it deemed unsafe. A full statement from the FIA stewards read: "The Stewards heard from the driver of Car 63 (George Russell), team representative and reviewed video and in-car video evidence. The driver of Car 63 explained that he had just pitted for new tyres and at turn 13 he lost the rear of the car and had no alternative but to leave the track to the left of the orange kerb on the inside of turn 14.
"He said that he was focussed on keeping the car off the wall and cut the orange line on the exit of turn 14. He said that he immediately realised that in so doing he had not complied with the instruction and apologised. No other cars were affected and the rejoining was not unsafe.
"In the circumstances we determined that a Warning was appropriate, consistent with earlier decisions for similar infringements in free practice at this circuit. 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 4 of the FIA Judicial and Disciplinary Rules, within the applicable time limits."
Russell's time 0.028 seconds faster than Norris and the second Mercedes of Kimi Antonelli was only 0.288secs slower than his team-mate in third place in what are encouraging signs for the Silver Arrows. Championship leader Oscar Piastri was only sixth fastest.
Friday's fastest man said: "It might be my first time top of the leaderboard all year. Very positive day. We had higher expectations coming to this weekend because cooler conditions, the track's quite smooth so the tyres naturally run quite cold and we know our weakness.
"When it's hot, we struggle and when it's cold, the tyres run cold, we're pretty competitive. The was definitely validation today. The lap was really strong today, probably optimised, nothing more in the tank, we had it all on the table full beans, power and everything."
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