Red Bull protests George Russell’s victory at the F1 Canadian Grand Prix

The Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix ended under Safety Car conditions, with George Russell leading Max Verstappen and the rest of the field to the checkered flag.

But while the podium celebration has come and gone and the media pen has gone quiet, Red Bull is not done contesting this race.

The team has lodged “[p]rotests” against Russell in the wake of the Canadian Grand Prix, and race officials have summoned Russell and Mercedes officials, along with Red Bull officials, to a hearing at the circuit that will take place at 5:50 p.m. Sunday, local time.

The genesis for these protests begins with a late-race incident between McLaren teammates Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, that knocked Norris out of the race and brought out the Safety Car on Lap 67.

You can see that incident here:

As the rest of the grid followed behind the Safety Car, there was a moment where Russell slowed down at the front of the field, and Verstappen passed him, if only for a moment.

Both drivers immediately got on the radio with their teams, with Verstappen noting Russell’s sudden slowdown while the Mercedes driver cited Verstappen for overtaking him:

Both teams informed their drivers that they were aware of that moment, and to watch out for any erratic driving from the other.

You can see the full incident here, in split-screen format from F1:

In addition, according to radio transmissions from Verstappen to Red Bull, the driver further alleged that Russell “aggressively braked,” as well as reporting that the Mercedes driver had fallen more than ten car lengths behind the Safety Car.

Notable F1 journalist Adam Cooper confirmed the extent of Red Bull’s protests:

What adds a layer of importance to this protest is the fact that Verstappen currently sits on 11 penalty points, just one point shy of a one-race ban. If this protest somehow opens the door to further repercussions for Verstappen, that would be a stunning turn of events.

This is not the first time this season Red Bull has lodged a post-race protest against Russell. At the Miami Grand Prix in early May Red Bull lodged a protest against the Mercedes driver, alleging he failed to slow down under a yellow caution flag.

That protest was ultimately dismissed by race stewards, but not before an incredible scene in the paddock at Hard Rock Stadium in front of the Red Bull hospitality space where Russell and Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff paid a visit to Red Bull to discuss the protest:

Now we wait on word of this latest Red Bull protest against Russell.