FIA Reveals Verdict On Red Bull Protest Against Russell After F1 Miami GP

The FIA has rejected Red Bull’s protest against Mercedes driver George Russell after the F1 Miami Grand Prix.

The British driver was summoned to the Stewards after the race at the Hard Rock Stadium after Red Bull launched an official protest against the British driver for allegedly not slowing down during a yellow flag period.

Red Bull chief Christian Horner explained to the media before the meeting with the stewards:

“We’ve registered a protest with the FIA regarding George Russell, who from the GPS that we can see quite clearly whilst did lift, did not reduce speed, and the regulation is quite explicitly clear that there has to be a reduction in speed. So the car has kept accelerating, just at a slower rate than it would normally, there’s not an actual reduction in speed.”

The official letter stated:

“Conclusions of the Stewards

1. It was evident from the onboard footage as well as from telemetry that Car 63 lifted the throttle when passing the yellow flag zone. The throttle was lifted by approx. 25 percent and this resulted in a reduction of torque of approx. 30 percent.
2. Article 26.1. a) requires the driver to have “discernibly reduced speed” in a yellow flag zone but does not specify if that means reducing the absolute speed or reducing the speed relative to the regular racing speed in the relevant part of the track.
3. The speed of Car 63 in the yellow flag zone was considerably slower than the regular racing speed, but the absolute speed while passing through the yellow flag zone increased slightly.
4. The Stewards determine that the requirement of Article 26.1 a) concerning the reduction of speed in a yellow flag zone can only relate to a reduction relative to the regular racing speed as the reduction of the absolute speed can, depending on the part of the track in which the yellow flag is displayed, represent a compliance or a non-compliance with the regulations whereas a reduction of the relative speed always signals that the driver has acknowledged and respected the yellow flag. For instance, in a braking zone the absolute speed can be reduced without necessarily complying with the regulations.

“Decision

1. The Protest is rejected as it is not founded.
2. The Protest Deposit is forfeited.”

2025 Miami Grand Prix results

1. Oscar Piastri, McLaren
2. Lando Norris, McLaren
3. George Russell, Mercedes
4. Max Verstappen, Red Bull
5. Alex Albon, Williams
6. Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
7. Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
8. Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
9. Carlos Sainz, Williams
10. Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull
11. Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls
12. Esteban Ocon, Haas
13. Pierre Gasly, Alpine
14. Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber
15. Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin
16. Lance Stroll, Aston Martin
17. Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls – DNF
18. Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber – DNF
19. Oliver Bearman, Haas – DNF
20. Jack Doohan, Alpine – DNF