Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff has no kind words for the protest that Red Bull Racing filed on Sunday after the Canadian Grand Prix. The FIA rejected the protest from Max Verstappen’s team, meaning George Russell remained the winner.
“Firstly, it took two hours for Red Bull to file the protest,” Wolff said on Monday evening on the red carpet in New York ahead of the premiere of F1: The Movie.
“It’s all so small and childish. They already did it in Miami, and now again. They filed two protests, one of which they immediately withdrew because they themselves saw it was ridiculous. They referred to bizarre articles in the sporting regulations. Maybe the FIA should look into that. It was all very far-fetched and was rightly rejected.”
Red Bull’s protest concerned an action by Russell in the final phase of the race behind the safety car. According to Red Bull, Russell deliberately braked, causing Verstappen to pass him briefly. That could have resulted in a penalty for Verstappen, as overtaking is prohibited during a safety car period.
Russell immediately reported over the radio that Verstappen had overtaken him, while Verstappen said that Russell suddenly braked. The FIA initially did not investigate, but had to consider the matter due to Red Bull’s protest. The result was only final more than five hours after the finish.
Verstappen only one penalty point away from suspension
What made the action extra sensitive was that Verstappen is only one penalty point away from a race suspension. Red Bull team boss Christian Horner said after the race in Canada – even before the result of the protest was known – that he had the idea that Russell wanted to give Verstappen a penalty point.
Wolff had no kind words for Red Bull’s protest action. “You win or lose on the track. This was a deserved victory for us, as they have had plenty of them in the past. This was simply shameful.”
In one of the protests, Red Bull pointed to “unsportsmanlike behavior” by Russell. “But what does that mean? Who even determines that?” Wolff continued. “That kept us busy for five hours. I’m sure this isn’t coming from Max himself. He’s a racer and would never protest about something so insignificant.”
The protest was a new chapter in the rivalry between Red Bull and Mercedes. Verstappen received three penalty points on his license more than two weeks ago at the Spanish Grand Prix due to a collision with Russell. Only after the Austrian Grand Prix in a week and a half will two expire, giving him a little more breathing room again.
Horner said on that same red carpet that he has no regrets about filing the protest. “Every team has the right to do this. We saw something that we thought was not right and chose to bring it before the stewards. We have absolutely no regrets about that.”
Verstappen finished second behind Russell, but remained ahead of his rivals Lando Norris (not finished) and Oscar Piastri (fourth). Horner: “We are not even halfway through the season. We won in Imola, had a good weekend in Barcelona and as you saw on Sunday, anything can happen. We will continue to fight until the end and will not give up. If anyone can do it, it’s Max.”