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Motorsport

George Russell reprimanded for unsafe release during F1 Austrian GP qualifying

George Russell F1 Andrea Kimi Antonelli Lando Mercedes

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

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren

2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday

Pierre Gasly, Alpine

2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday

Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing Team wears a Sebastian Vettel face mask

2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday

George Russell, Mercedes

2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday

Fans

2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday

Toto Wolff, Mercedes

2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing wears a Brad Pitt face mask, Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing Team wears a Sebastian Vettel face mask

2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday

Fans gather by the fan forums stage.

2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday

Carlos Sainz, Williams

2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday

Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team

2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday

Franco Colapinto, Alpine

2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday

Atmosphere

2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday

Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team

2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday

Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls Team, Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls Team

2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday

Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team, Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team

2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday

George Russell, Mercedes

2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday

Pierre Gasly, Alpine, Franco Colapinto, Alpine

2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday

Fans

2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday

Pierre Gasly, Alpine

2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday

Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team

2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday

Pierre Gasly, Alpine

2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday

Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing

2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday

Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing Team

2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday

Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing Team

2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday

Lando Norris, McLaren

2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday

Alexander Albon, Williams

2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team

2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday

George Russell, Mercedes

2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday

Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing Team

2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday

Pierre Gasly, Alpine

2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday

Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber

2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday

Lando Norris, McLaren

2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday

Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team

2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday

Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team

2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday

Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing

2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday

Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber

2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday

Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team

2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday

Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing

2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday

Oscar Piastri, McLaren

2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday

George Russell, Mercedes

2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday

Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls Team

2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday

Franco Colapinto, Alpine

2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday

Marshals extinguish a trackside fire in Q2 during qualifying

2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday

Lando Norris, McLaren

2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday

Oscar Piastri, McLaren

2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday

Lando Norris, McLaren

2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday

Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren

2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday

Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren

2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren

2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lando Norris, McLaren

2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Oscar Piastri, McLaren

2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren

2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday

Lando Norris, McLaren

2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday

George Russell, Mercedes

2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday

Pierre Gasly, Alpine

2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday

Lando Norris, McLaren

2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday

Lando Norris, McLaren

2025 Austrian Grand Prix - Saturday

Formula 1

68

In this article

Emily Selleck

Formula 1

George Russell

Mercedes

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