Formula 1 Austrian GP
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
Emily Selleck
Edited: Jun 28, 2025, 6:44 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
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
Formula 1
64
Read Also:
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 Helmut Marko pinpoints Yuki Tsunoda's Red Bull disadvantage over Max Verstappen
Next article “F1” movie star tears down Max Verstappen’s "Drive to Survive" villain persona
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Emily Selleck
Machine Gun Kelly, T-Pain and Zedd to headline F1 Las Vegas GP lineup
Formula 1
Formula 1
Las Vegas GP
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
NASCAR Truck
NASCAR Truck
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’
Culture
Culture
Lewis Hamilton reveals second Dior capsule collection with nods to South Africa and ‘Afrofuturism’
More from
George Russell
Mercedes out of performance window at Mexico GP - George Russell
Formula 1
Formula 1
Mexican GP
Mercedes out of performance window at Mexico GP - George Russell
George Russell tips Frederik Vesti for F1 2027 Cadillac seat
Formula 1
Formula 1
Mexican GP
George Russell tips Frederik Vesti for F1 2027 Cadillac seat
More from
Mercedes
"I'll bombard myself with melatonin": Kimi Antonelli admits to driving "tense" and "tired" on cusp of F1 title
Formula 1
Formula 1
Mexican GP
21 h
"I'll bombard myself with melatonin": Kimi Antonelli admits to driving "tense" and "tired" on cusp of F1 title
Why “ignorance is a superpower” for Kimi Antonelli, according to Daniel Ricciardo
Formula 1
Formula 1
Mexican GP
Why “ignorance is a superpower” for Kimi Antonelli, according to Daniel Ricciardo
Latest news
FIA stewards explain Charles Leclerc’s five-second penalty in F1 Mexico GP
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Mexican GP
23 min
FIA stewards explain Charles Leclerc’s five-second penalty in F1 Mexico GP
LIVE: F1 Mexico GP updates - Can Kimi Antonelli seal the title?
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Mexican GP
2 h
LIVE: F1 Mexico GP updates - Can Kimi Antonelli seal the title?
What does Yamaha’s shock MotoGP boycott mean for F1 in Qatar and Abu Dhabi?
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Qatar GP
3 h
What does Yamaha’s shock MotoGP boycott mean for F1 in Qatar and Abu Dhabi?
Feature
Discover prime content
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