Red Bull Reacts to Protests Targeting Canadian GP Winner George Russell

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner offered a direct explanation after Red Bull lodged multiple protests following the result of the Canadian Grand Prix. George Russell took his Mercedes from pole position to victory at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on June 15, ahead of Max Verstappen.

The final laps sparked controversy when a collision involving both McLaren drivers led to the race ending behind the safety car, keeping Verstappen close to Russell as the checkered flag waved.

During the closing laps, something unusual happened along the main straight. Russell, leading the restart behind the safety car, braked suddenly.

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This heavy braking allowed Verstappen to briefly inch ahead, though the positions were quickly corrected. Red Bull’s concerns didn’t stop at this maneuver.

Horner pointed to another key point: Russell let his Mercedes fall more than 10 car lengths behind the safety car, exceeding the distance allowed under the regulations. According to Horner, this space was “three times in excess” of the limit set by Formula 1 rules.

Both Verstappen and Russell were summoned to see the stewards while Red Bull submitted these two protests. “It will obviously come out in the documentation, but there are two protests we put to the stewards,” said Horner to reporters at RacingNews365.

“Firstly, it’s the erratic driving behind the safety car. The second is the distance left behind the safety car that exceeded the permitted distance,” he explained. Each protest cost the team €2,000 to file, but Horner confirmed that as competitors, it was their right to ask for a review of the race’s final moments.

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Questions came about Verstappen’s involvement in the protest decision. Horner clarified that Verstappen was speaking with the media and wasn’t aware the protest was going ahead at that moment.

The decision to file objections with the stewards came from the team’s assessment of the situation, not from Verstappen’s request. “We were surprised that they weren’t noted to send to the stewards, so as a competitor, you have the right to do that,” Horner added.

As the stewards reviewed the incidents, fans and teams watched closely for any possible changes to the result. The outcome had the potential to affect championship standings, which, after the Canadian Grand Prix, saw McLaren’s Oscar Piastri at the top with 198 points.

Russell now holds 136 points for Mercedes, while Verstappen sits in third at 155 for Red Bull. The race also affected team rankings, with McLaren leading at 374 points and Red Bull fourth with 162.

The Canadian Grand Prix was the ninth round on the 2025 Formula 1 calendar, with upcoming events at the Red Bull Ring on June 29 and Silverstone on July 6. After a tense finish and pending the stewards’ verdict, the competition remains as close as ever heading into the second half of the F1 season.

John Martinez

John Martinez delivers real-time NASCAR Cup Series and Truck Series news, from live race updates to pit-lane strategy analysis. A graduate of the University of Northwestern Ohio’s Motorsports Technology program, he breaks down rule changes, driver tactics, and championship points with crystal-clear reporting.