Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has issued a statement after Formula 1 stewards dismissed the team’s protest against George Russell following the dramatic conclusion of the Canadian Grand Prix.
Red Bull had lodged an official protest after Russell secured victory in Montreal, arguing that the Mercedes driver had allegedly committed a track limits infringement during a key phase of the race. The stewards reviewed the evidence provided by Red Bull but ultimately determined that no breach of the regulations had occurred, allowing Russell’s win to stand.
In response to the ruling, Horner said: “While we respect the stewards’ decision, we firmly believed there was sufficient evidence to warrant a review. We submitted the protest to ensure the rules are applied consistently, and while we are disappointed with the outcome, we accept the verdict.”
The protest centered around lap 47, when Russell was seen running wide at Turn 4 while defending his lead. Red Bull argued that this may have given him an advantage, but the stewards concluded that any potential advantage was minimal and did not impact the final result.
Mercedes welcomed the decision, with team boss Toto Wolff praising Russell’s drive under pressure. “George delivered a fantastic performance today. We’re pleased the stewards recognized there was no wrongdoing,” Wolff stated.
The ruling ensures Russell’s victory remains intact, marking his second career win in Formula 1 and a crucial boost for Mercedes in both the drivers’ and constructors’ standings.
The controversy adds another layer of tension to the heated 2025 championship battle, with Red Bull and Mercedes once again locked in a fierce rivalry as the season progresses.
