Red Bull Launches Fierce Protest Over George Russell’s Victory

Red Bull Racing has launched an official protest against George Russell’s victory at the Canadian Grand Prix, held at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on June 15. This follows a late-race incident involving Max Verstappen, who currently sits third in the 2025 F1 drivers’ standings with 155 points.

Both Russell and Verstappen have been called before the stewards as a result of the team’s move. The protest marks a major turnaround after a race already full of drama.

Russell, racing for Mercedes, crossed the finish line first but found his win questioned just hours later by one of his toughest rivals. Verstappen, driving for Red Bull, has spent the season battling at the front along with McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris.

Piastri leads the championship with 198 points, ahead of Norris’s 176, while Russell’s victory brought him up to 136 points and fourth place in the standings. Controversy struck in the final stages of the race following a collision between the leading cars.

While details of Red Bull’s protest are still being reviewed by the stewards, the team’s decision comes after two consecutive events dominated by intense on-track fights and strategic battles. The 2025 Canadian Grand Prix had notable incidents, including a separate clash between McLaren teammates Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, which added to the tension in the paddock.

Team standings also remain tight after the Montreal weekend. McLaren leads with 374 points, followed by Mercedes at 199 and Ferrari at 183.

Red Bull holds fourth spot in the team rankings with 162 points. The outcome of Red Bull’s protest could influence both the official race results and the broader championship picture as the season heads toward the Austrian Grand Prix at the end of June.

Stewards are expected to release their findings soon. The decision may impact not only the Canadian Grand Prix results but also the momentum of the drivers and teams as they prepare for the next round.

Incidents like this remind fans how unpredictable Formula 1 remains. After a weekend filled with drama, all eyes remain on the stewards’ room and the evolving story between Red Bull, Mercedes, and the championship’s leading drivers.

The ongoing tensions have been further intensified by recent Mercedes FIA rule change controversies, which some experts believe could affect team strategies moving forward. Additionally, the clash involving McLaren’s drivers echoes similar intra-team battles seen earlier this season, as reported in McLaren Lewis Hamilton Monaco. With such fierce competition, the upcoming rounds promise to be just as intense.