George Russell and Nico Hülkenberg were penalized by the race stewards following the Formula 1 race in Montreal—both penalties are suspended
To make matters worse, George Russell was also handed a fine following his retirement from the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal. The Mercedes driver had thrown his headrest onto the track in frustration after his retirement on lap 30.
The race stewards deemed this “unsafe conduct,” as another car could theoretically have run over the part. Russell must therefore pay 5,000 euros, though the penalty was suspended for twelve months. The race stewards explained their decision as follows: “The driver stated that he was extremely frustrated at not having finished the race and expressed his embarrassment over what happened afterward.”
“He apologized to the race stewards for his behavior, acknowledged that he had not been a good role model, and offered to apologize publicly. The race stewards took note of this and accepted his apology.”
Russell will not receive a sporting penalty. The race stewards theoretically could have, for example, imposed a grid penalty for the next race in Monaco.
Hülkenberg Penalty for “Unusual Incident”
Nico Hülkenberg was also penalized following the Canadian Grand Prix. In his case, a stop-and-go penalty was handed down, though it too has been suspended on probation until the end of the year. He also received a warning.
Hülkenberg, who ultimately finished the race in P12, took too long at the start of the third formation lap and fell behind Liam Lawson. He did not overtake the Racing Bull again for the remainder of the lap.
“This was an unusual incident,” the race stewards acknowledge in their ruling, explaining: “Car 27 [Hülkenberg] was slower than could reasonably be expected when starting the third formation lap from his grid position.”
“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 were in the wrong order when crossing the SC1 line, a delay of the start was not required, no reordering of the starting grid was necessary, and there was no impact on the competition. Both cars started the race from their correct positions.”
“The regulations stipulate a mandatory stop-and-go penalty for a car that does not enter the pit lane if it has not resumed its correct position by SC1.”
“However, in light of the mitigating circumstances mentioned above, the Race Stewards consider this penalty to be extremely harsh and disproportionate to an infraction that was relatively minor in its impact and consequences.”
“Accordingly, the stop-and-go penalty is suspended in exercise of the powers conferred on the race stewards under ISC Article 12.4.6.”
Incidentally, it wasn’t just Hülkenberg himself who was penalized for the incident; Lawson, on the other side, also received at least a warning. As explained in the stewards’ ruling, he should have waited longer before pulling away from the starting grid.
Furthermore, he would have had the opportunity to let Hülkenberg pass him again afterward.
