Red Bull raises concern over potential rival tactics against Verstappen
Red Bull Raises Concerns of Gamesmanship as Verstappen Nears Penalty Point Threshold
In the lead-up to the Canadian Grand Prix, Red Bull Racing took preemptive action by alerting Formula 1's governing body, the FIA, about potential "gamesmanship" that could target Max Verstappen. The move, disclosed by Red Bull team principal Christian Horner, came as the reigning world champion neared a critical threshold of penalty points, raising the possibility of a one-race ban.
Max Verstappen entered the Montreal weekend carrying 11 penalty points on his super license. With 12 points triggering an automatic suspension, the stakes were high for the Dutch driver. Verstappen's most recent penalty stemmed from a collision with Mercedes' George Russell during the Spanish Grand Prix. The 25-year-old will not see any penalty points expire until after the Austrian Grand Prix—Red Bull’s home race—on June 29, intensifying the need for a clean slate in the meantime.
Red Bull’s Preemptive Approach
Acknowledging the precarious position, Red Bull approached FIA race director Rui Marques following Friday's drivers' meeting to preempt any unsporting behavior from rivals.
“I think it was inevitable that there was going to be some potential gamesmanship," Horner told reporters. "It's something that we raised after the driver briefing with the race director, just so that they were mindful of it as well, because it was clear that that kind of stuff goes on. We just said to him, look, could they please keep an eye on it because…comments have been raised in the media."
Mercedes driver George Russell added fuel to the rivalry when he remarked after qualifying that he had "more penalty points to play with than Verstappen," signaling his position of relative advantage. What followed only intensified the friction.
Race-Day Drama
During Sunday's race, Russell secured victory while Verstappen finished second, but that result did not come without drama. Red Bull lodged a protest against Russell, alleging unsportsmanlike conduct during a safety car period. According to Red Bull, Russell braked "unnecessarily and erratically" along the back straight, taking Verstappen by surprise and prompting him to momentarily overtake—a move that could result in investigation and potential penalties.
Red Bull further suggested that Russell acted with intent, claiming that onboard cameras showed him checking his mirrors before applying the brakes, potentially aiming to coax Verstappen into an infringement. Additionally, they cited Russell’s radio communication, saying it “displayed unsportsmanlike intent” as he pointed out Verstappen's fleeting overtake.
FIA Stewards Reject Red Bull's Protest
Despite Red Bull’s protest, FIA stewards rejected the claims, determining that Russell had not engaged in unsportsmanlike behavior. The Mercedes driver denied any wrongdoing, insisting that there was no attempt to provoke an investigation. Mercedes, for their part, clarified that they did not lodge any complaints regarding Verstappen’s actions.
With FIA stewards siding with Russell, the post-race controversy brought another chapter to the simmering rivalry between the two drivers. This was Red Bull’s second protest involving Russell in five races, underscoring the growing tension between the two teams.
The Stakes Ahead for Verstappen
As the championship progresses, Verstappen must navigate the next few races carefully, as even the slightest misstep could result in a highly costly suspension. Meanwhile, the rivalry between Red Bull and Mercedes—and between Verstappen and Russell—promises to remain one of the most combustible storylines of the 2023 Formula 1 season.
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