F1 2025: FIA told to 'take a look' at rules after 'embarrassing' Red Bull protest

Formula 1

FIA told to 'take a look' at rules after 'embarrassing' Red Bull protest

Red Bull protested George Russell's car following the Canadian Grand Prix

By Kevin McKenna.

Tuesday 17 June 2025 17:00

Mercedes F1 chief Toto Wolff has suggested that the FIA needs to look at their rules after Red Bull's 'embarrassing' protest at the Canadian Grand Prix.

George Russell won the race at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on Sunday, ahead of Red Bull star and reigning world champion Max Verstappen, and team-mate Kimi Antonelli. However, his victory was temporarily thrown under scrutiny post-race.

This was because Red Bull lodged a protest against Russell with the stewards over an incident under the safety car in which they claimed the Mercedes star had broken the rules.

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An investigation took place and hours passed before the race result was made official, but Red Bull's protest was ultimately dismissed.

Now, speaking to Sky Sports at the launch of the new F1 movie in New York on Monday, Wolff was scathing in his criticism of his rivals and called for the governing body to also have a rethink.

"They've done it in Miami [alleging Russell failed to sufficiently slow under yellow flags]. Now they launched two protests. They took one back because it was ridiculous.

"They come up with some weird clauses, what they call clauses. I guess the FIA needs to look at that because it's so far-fetched it was rejected.

"You know, you race, you win and you lose on track. That was a fair victory for us, like so many they had in the past. And it's just embarrassing."

Verstappen-Russell rivalry heats up

Max Verstappen was beaten to first spot by George Russell in Montreal

There has been no shortage of tension between the teams in 2025, with Russell and Verstappen at the heart of it.

Verstappen was heavily penalised for causing a collision with his Mercedes counterpart in the last round in Barcelona, with the four-time champion picking up three penalty points which has edged him to the brink of a race ban.

It was another chapter of what's turned into a fierce rivalry between the duo, with both racers previously embroiled in a stunning war of words towards the end of last season.

Verstappen currently holds a 19-point advantage over the 27-year-old in the drivers' championship heading into next weekend's Austrian GP.

NASCAR Red Bull Max Verstappen George Russell Toto Wolff Canadian Grand Prix