George Russell will keep his third-place finish from the Miami Grand Prix after stewards dismissed a post-race protest filed by Red Bull Racing against the Mercedes driver.
Russell secured the final podium spot, finishing just ahead of Max Verstappen on Sunday. Following the race, Red Bull lodged a protest, claiming the British driver had not slowed down sufficiently under a single-waved yellow flag period during the event.
Stewards conducted a hearing with representatives from both teams in the hours following the race but ultimately rejected Red Bull`s case.
Verstappen finished 2.3 seconds behind Russell. Russell had gained track position over the Dutchman by pitting under an earlier Virtual Safety Car period. Consequently, any time penalty for the Mercedes driver could potentially have elevated Verstappen to third place instead of fourth.
During the hearing, Red Bull argued that while Russell “lifted the throttle when the yellow flag was displayed, it did not reduce speed,” and therefore, the Mercedes car did not comply with the regulations.
Mercedes representatives countered that the accepted common practice among teams and the FIA dictates that significantly lifting the throttle in a yellow flag zone is considered an appropriate reaction and constitutes compliance with the relevant rules.
They stated Russell had indeed significantly reduced throttle application upon spotting the stranded Sauber car at the side of the track.
The stewards ultimately dismissed Red Bull`s case, resulting in the team forfeiting their protest deposit.
In their official conclusions, the stewards stated: “It was evident from the onboard footage as well as from telemetry that Car 63 [Russell] 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.”
They elaborated on the interpretation of Article 26.1. a), which requires a “discernibly reduced speed” under yellow flags:
“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.”
This decision marks Russell`s fourth podium finish in six races this season and places him just six points behind third-placed Verstappen in the Drivers` Championship.
Mercedes sits second in the Constructors` Championship, 36 points ahead of Red Bull, although they are now 105 points behind dominant leaders McLaren following the Woking team`s one-two finish in Miami.
F1`s European season commences with the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix from May 16-18.
