Formula 1 Bahrain GP
Why Russell wasn't penalised for DRS breach in Bahrain GP
Russell keeps his second place on the podium at Formula 1's Bahrain Grand Prix after being cleared for erroneous DRS use
Filip Cleeren
Edited: Apr 13, 2025, 8:45 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
George Russell, Mercedes
Photo by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images
The FIA has explained why Mercedes driver George Russell escaped punishment for incorrectly activating his DRS mechanism during the Bahrain Grand Prix.
Russell was running in second, well behind leader Oscar Piastri, when he began experiencing electronic issues with his Mercedes, losing brake-by-wire and encountering a variety of other distracting gremlins.
The British driver also experienced an issue with a third-party-delivered transponder that briefly saw him move to the bottom of the leaderboard, which also confused his automatic DRS activation system, which it operates on.
As per normal procedure the FIA authorised Mercedes to use a manual override mode, with Russell advised by the team to use a back-up radio button that also serves as a manual DRS activation button. Russell used the button to call his race engineer but accidentally opened the DRS mechanism despite not being within one second of McLaren's Piastri, which is not permitted.
But as he immediately backed off the throttle to close it, losing time in the process, the FIA decided that no penalty was warranted, with Russell keeping his second place on the podium.
"At the time the driver was experiencing a brake-by-wire issue and other electronic issues. He was at that time advised to use an auxiliary button in the cockpit which serves as a back-up radio button but also serves as a manual DRS activation button," the verdict from the FIA stewards read.
Lando Norris, McLaren, George Russell, Mercedes
Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
"On the straight between Turns 10 and 11 he tried to radio the team using this button but instead accidentally activated the DRS. The DRS was activated for a distance of 37 metres on a straight of approximately 700 metres. Whilst he gained 0.02 seconds, he gave up 0.28 seconds at the next corner to compensate. This was confirmed by telemetry.
"Accordingly, whilst technically a breach occurred the Stewards decide that as there was no sporting advantage gained, no penalty is imposed."
There was precedent for the FIA to clear Russell after similar issues at the 2018 Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
In Baku, Racing Point's Sergio Perez, Williams driver Lance Stroll and Haas' Kevin Magnussen all incorrectly activated DRS following issues with the detection zones, forcing drivers to operate the system manually. All three drivers were cleared at the time, with Perez keeping his podium spot as a result.
Photos from Bahrain GP - Race
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix - Sunday
Formula 1
72
Read Also:
Formula 1Crisis talks at Red Bull after "alarming" Bahrain GP
Formula 1Norris uncomfortable and unhappy: "Something is not clicking"
Formula 1Verstappen criticizes Red Bull’s slow pitstops at Bahrain GP
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Toto Wolff reveals extent of George Russell's Mercedes W16 troubles
Next article Christian Horner reveals cause of Red Bull pitstop horrors
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Filip Cleeren
"It's horribly painful" - Williams drops 2026 car upgrades to benefit 2027
Formula 1
Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
1 d
"It's horribly painful" - Williams drops 2026 car upgrades to benefit 2027
More from
George Russell
F1 driver contracts: How long is each driver tied down for?
Formula 1
Formula 1 1 d
F1 driver contracts: How long is each driver tied down for?
George Russell launches karting academy
Formula 1
Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
2 d
George Russell launches karting academy
More from
Mercedes
‘Lewis suspected a conspiracy’ – Nico Rosberg explains how Lewis Hamilton F1 rivalry went awry at Mercedes
Formula 1
Formula 1 11 h
‘Lewis suspected a conspiracy’ – Nico Rosberg explains how Lewis Hamilton F1 rivalry went awry at Mercedes
Kimi Antonelli meets Italian president Sergio Mattarella
Formula 1
Formula 1 17 h
Kimi Antonelli meets Italian president Sergio Mattarella
Latest news
The ten closest finishes from the 2026 NASCAR season
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup 11 h
The ten closest finishes from the 2026 NASCAR season
‘Lewis suspected a conspiracy’ – Nico Rosberg explains how Lewis Hamilton F1 rivalry went awry at Mercedes
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1 11 h
‘Lewis suspected a conspiracy’ – Nico Rosberg explains how Lewis Hamilton F1 rivalry went awry at Mercedes
BMW "proud of what we achieved" after securing runner-up in 2026 WEC
WEC
WEC WEC
Monza
13 h
BMW "proud of what we achieved" after securing runner-up in 2026 WEC
The numbers that reveal how sprint races have turned the MotoGP title fight upside down
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Qatar GP
15 h
The numbers that reveal how sprint races have turned the MotoGP title fight upside down
Feature
Discover prime content
Top 10 F1 cars of the 1970s
Formula 1
By Kevin Turner
Top 10 F1 cars of the 1970s
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.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe