FIA’s Insights: Why Red Bull’s Protest Against George Russell Was Dismissed

The FIA has clarified why Red Bull’s protest against George Russell after the Miami Grand Prix was turned down. Max Verstappen finished fourth, trailing Russell by over two seconds. A virtual safety car had hindered Verstappen’s chances to snag a podium, with McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris leading the race.

Red Bull aimed to elevate Verstappen to third by contesting Russell’s race conduct during a yellow-flag period. Verstappen had suggested on the radio that Russell did not slow down enough when the yellow flags were out. Late in the race, Red Bull signaled their intent to protest, instructing Verstappen to stay within five seconds of Russell. If they succeeded, Russell could have faced a five-second penalty.

During the hearing, Red Bull argued that although Russell eased off the throttle, he did not sufficiently slow down, violating Article 26.1 a) of the FIA’s regulations. This rule states that a driver must reduce speed and be ready to change direction when passing through a yellow-flag zone. To meet this requirement, the driver should brake earlier or notably slow down.

Red Bull interpreted “discernibly reduced speed” to mean that drivers should pass the yellow-flag zone at a significantly slower speed than before entering it. However, Mercedes countered that all teams accepted lifting the throttle as an appropriate response to a yellow flag. They claimed Russell’s lift was more substantial than Verstappen had noted.

The stewards examined onboard footage and telemetry from Russell’s car. They determined that he had indeed lifted the throttle by about 25%, resulting in a 30% torque reduction. They explained that while Russell’s speed was less than regular racing speed in the yellow-flag zone, the absolute speed slightly increased.

The key finding was that Article 26.1 a) refers to a relative speed reduction compared to typical racing conditions. In a braking zone, it’s possible to decrease absolute speed without complying with the regulations, depending on the part of the track where the yellow flag appears. Thus, the stewards ruled against Red Bull, and the team forfeited their €2,000 protest deposit.

This incident highlights a broader trend in Formula 1 regarding race conduct and penalties. A recent survey revealed that fans are increasingly concerned about how teams interpret and apply the rules. As races evolve, so do the expectations for transparency and fairness on the track. Understanding these rules and their implications can enrich our appreciation of the sport.

For more detailed insights on FIA regulations, check out their official guidelines here.

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