The Canadian Grand Prix weekend of June 13-15, 2025, proved eventful for Mercedes F1 star George Russell, who faced a double penalty from the FIA for minor pitlane speeding infractions during a practice session. The penalties, issued by a restructured stewarding panel after the suspension of Derek Warwick for unauthorized media comments, underscored the FIA’s strict enforcement of regulations. Meanwhile, Max Verstappen, embroiled in an ongoing rivalry with Russell, commented on their tense overtaking battle during the race, adding fuel to a narrative that has gripped the Formula 1 community.
Russell’s penalties stemmed from two separate instances of exceeding the pitlane speed limit during Friday’s practice in Montreal. The first infraction saw him clock 0.1km/h over the limit, followed by a second violation of 0.2km/h later in the session. While these breaches were minor, the FIA’s rules are clear: exceeding the pitlane speed limit, typically set at 80km/h during practice, results in a fine. Each of Russell’s infractions incurred a €100 fine, totaling €200, which Mercedes is expected to cover, as is customary for such penalties. According to GPFans, pitlane speeding fines in practice sessions rarely lead to sporting penalties, unlike in races where a five-second time penalty is often added. For context, Sergio Perez’s egregious 120.6km/h speed in the 2021 British Grand Prix pitlane—over 50% above the limit—resulted in a €1,000 fine but no further sporting consequences.
The stewarding panel issuing these penalties was notably reshuffled after Derek Warwick, a veteran steward and former F1 driver, was suspended on June 13, 2025, for unauthorized media comments about Max Verstappen’s penalty at the Spanish Grand Prix two weeks prior. Warwick had spoken to gambling website Plejmo, defending the FIA’s decision to issue Verstappen a 10-second penalty and three license points for colliding with Russell. The FIA, citing a breach of neutrality, replaced Warwick with Enrique Bernoldi, who officiated remotely from Geneva. Warwick apologized, acknowledging his comments were “ill-advised,” and is set to resume duties at the Austrian Grand Prix, per The Athletic. This shake-up ensured Russell’s penalties were straightforward, as the infractions were clear-cut and required minimal subjective judgment.
On the track, the Canadian Grand Prix saw heightened tension between Russell and Verstappen, following their controversial clash in Spain. During the race on June 15, Russell, starting from pole, and Verstappen, from P2, battled fiercely. Verstappen referenced their Spanish Grand Prix incident, where he received three penalty points for colliding with Russell at Turn 5 after being instructed to cede a position. Speaking to Sky Sports F1 post-race in Montreal, Verstappen said, “I race hard, always have. What happened in Spain was a moment of frustration, but I’ve moved on. George pushes hard too—we’re competitors, not enemies.” His comments followed a heated exchange in Spain, where Russell alleged Verstappen threatened him in the stewards’ room, a claim Verstappen dismissed as “exaggerated” on Instagram.
Russell, reflecting on the Canadian Grand Prix, acknowledged the pitlane fines as “sloppy errors” but emphasized his focus on the race, where he secured a podium finish. “The team’s taken the fines on the chin, and we’re here to win, not dwell on practice mistakes,” he told reporters. The incident reignited discussions about the FIA’s penalty system, with some fans on X arguing Russell’s minor infractions were harshly spotlighted compared to Verstappen’s more serious Spanish clash, which left him one point shy of a race ban. Posts like “Russell gets fined for 0.1km/h, but Max crashes into him and skates?” trended, highlighting perceived inconsistencies.
The FIA’s actions in Canada, from penalizing Russell to suspending Warwick, reflect their commitment to maintaining order amid a tense season. Verstappen, now 49 points behind championship leader Oscar Piastri, faces pressure to avoid further penalties, with two points expiring on June 30, 2025, per ESPN. Russell, meanwhile, continues to assert Mercedes’ resurgence, with his pole position signaling their competitive edge. As the season progresses, the Verstappen-Russell rivalry, coupled with the FIA’s rigorous oversight, promises more drama, with the Austrian Grand Prix looming as the next battleground.
