(Motorsport-Total.com) – After his retirement at the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal, George Russell also received a fine on top of everything else. The Mercedes driver had frustratedly thrown his headrest onto the track after his retirement in lap 30.
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The race stewards considered this “unsafe behavior,” as theoretically another car could have driven over the part. Russell must pay 5,000 euros, but the penalty was suspended for twelve months on probation.
The race stewards justify their decision as follows: “The driver stated that he was extremely frustrated about not finishing the race and expressed his embarrassment about the subsequent events.”
“He apologized to the race stewards for his behavior, admitted that he was not a good role model, and offered to apologize publicly. The race stewards took note of this and accepted his apology.”
There is no sporting penalty for Russell. The race stewards theoretically could have imposed a grid penalty for the next race in Monaco, for example.
Hülkenberg penalty for “unusual incident”
Nico Hülkenberg was also penalized after the Canada race. In his case, a stop-and-go penalty was issued, which was also suspended on probation until the end of the year. Additionally, there was a warning.
Hülkenberg, who eventually finished the race in P12, took too long at the start of the third formation lap and fell behind Liam Lawson. Afterwards, he did not overtake the Racing Bulls again during the entire lap.
“This was an unusual incident,” the race stewards admit in their judgment and explain: “Car 27 [Hülkenberg] was slower than reasonably expected when it started the third formation lap from its starting position.”
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“Car 30 [Lawson] started earlier than expected and should have waited longer for Car 27 to start. During the formation lap, the driver of Car 27 stated that he was unable to safely overtake Car 30 to regain the correct position.”
“Although the cars crossed the SC1 line in the wrong order, a delay of the start was not necessary, no rearrangement of the starting grid was required, and there was no impact on the competition. Both cars started the race from the correct positions.”
“The regulations provide for a mandatory stop-and-go penalty for a car that does not enter the pit lane if it has not regained its correct position by SC1.”
“Given the mitigating circumstances mentioned above, the race stewards consider this penalty to be extremely harsh and disproportionate to an infringement that was relatively minor in its impact and consequences.”
“Accordingly, the stop-and-go penalty is suspended under the powers granted to the race stewards pursuant to ISC Article 12.4.6.”
Not only was Hülkenberg himself penalized for the incident, but Lawson on the other side also received at least a warning. As explained in the stewards’ judgment, he should have waited longer before leaving the starting grid.
Additionally, he had the opportunity to let Hülkenberg pass again afterwards.