George Russell reprimanded for unsafe release during F1 Austrian GP qualifying
The Mercedes driver paid a visit to the stewards after an incident in the pitlane during qualifying in Austria
George Russell was reprimanded by the stewards for “entering the fast lane without a suitable gap” during qualifying for the Formula 1 Austrian Grand Prix.
The Mercedes driver was issued a warning after speaking to the stewards about the incident, which took place at the beginning of Q3 in the pitlane.
According to the FIA, Russell “tried to enter the fast lane when other cars were approaching” and had to stop at an angle that prevented him from seeing the other cars heading out on track.
In an attempt to radio the team, Russell accidentally slipped the clutch, causing the car to jump forward.
Mercedes admitted it “could have done a better job managing the situation” and the Brit was handed a reprimand.
“I saw a few drivers pulling out, but then you have a massive blind spot,” said Russell. “You can't get out of a window. You can look through but you can only move your head so much. It's a massive blind spot.”
George Russell, Mercedes
Photo by: Peter Fox / Getty Images
He will start Sunday’s grand prix in fifth, while his rookie team-mate Andrea Kimi Antonelli will start in ninth.
“That was definitely the maximum we could have got,” added Russell. “I think the gap to everyone except Lando [Norris, polesitter] is quite understandable, but Lando obviously did a really amazing job all day today, and that was probably bigger than we thought.
“But we know our strengths and our weaknesses, and this was never going to be a strong race for us.”
It comes after a dominant Canadian Grand Prix for the Silver Arrows last time out, as Russell claimed his first win of the season while Antonelli took his maiden F1 podium with third.
The result was protested by Red Bull, with the team lodging two complaints relating to Russell’s behaviour behind a late safety car. However, the appeals were eventually thrown out, more than five hours after the chequered flag.
Photos from Austrian GP - Practice and Qualifying
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday
Share Or Save This Story
Machine Gun Kelly, T-Pain and Zedd to headline F1 Las Vegas GP lineup
How Toni Breidinger uses fashion as a “creative outlet” to help her race
Lewis Hamilton reveals second Dior capsule collection with nods to South Africa and ‘Afrofuturism’
George Russell details F1 drivers' Langkawi boys' trip ahead of Bahrain GP in Malaysia
As Mercedes looks to deal F1 2026 knockout blow, will its driver fight reignite?
F1 driver contracts: How long is each driver tied down for?
Kimi Antonelli has "spooked himself" amid F1 title pressure, says Naomi Schiff
Mercedes braced for tougher strategy calls as George Russell closes on Kimi Antonelli
Why Mercedes is still quicker than McLaren
Yamaha hopes MotoGP race winner Ai Ogura can revive Japan’s “lost” motorcycle passion
Guenther Steiner jokes Christian Horner Ferrari talk is good book publicity
Joey Logano down but not out of NASCAR Chase after Kansas flat tire
Kimi Antonelli has "spooked himself" amid F1 title pressure, says Naomi Schiff
As Mercedes looks to deal F1 2026 knockout blow, will its driver fight reignite?
Top 10 F1 results changed by backmarkers – the passes
The problem with Ferrari’s endless team principal speculation
Why Mercedes is still quicker than McLaren
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments