George Russell faced a protest from Red Bull hours after securing Mercedes’ first win of the season at the Canadian Grand Prix, accused of unsportsmanlike behavior during the late-race Safety Car period. Red Bull’s complaint, which focused on Russell’s sudden deceleration ahead of Max Verstappen, was dismissed by the stewards, but it sparked sharp criticism from former F1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya who condemned Red Bull’s approach as immature.

Red Bull’s Protest Over Russell’s Late-Race Driving Moves

During the final laps of the Canadian Grand Prix, a collision between McLaren drivers brought out the Safety Car, and Russell appeared to slow abruptly in front of Verstappen. This led Red Bull to file a formal protest, accusing Russell of intentionally trying to disrupt Verstappen’s race. However, the stewards rejected the protest after reviewing the incident, clearing Russell of any wrongdoing.

Montoya weighed in on the situation with sharp disapproval, calling the protest childish and unnecessary.

“I think if George really stood on the brakes and stopped the car on purpose, and Max passed because of it, then they should look at it,”

Montoya said. He continued, emphasizing the pointlessness of the protest,

“But it’s like a kindergarten thing. Why are you protesting something? That’s like the fights that you could hear before on the radio when the team owners’ radios were open with the FIA.”

The Colombian ex-driver also reminisced about the previous era when team principals clashed openly on team radios, noting a recent improvement in the sport’s atmosphere.

“You could hear Toto and you could hear Horner going at it, like yapping to the teacher. It’s so much better now without listening to all that.”

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff also criticized the protest, dismissing it as “petty” and “embarrassing,” highlighting the tense relationship between the two leading teams in the championship race.

Impact of Race Ban Threat on Max Verstappen’s Performance

Montoya suggested that Verstappen’s aggressive driving may be affected by the looming possibility of a race ban, as the Dutch driver is only one penalty point away from an automatic suspension. He must maintain a clean record at the upcoming Austrian Grand Prix to avoid missing a race.

Despite praising Verstappen’s professionalism in Canada, Montoya believes the threat of suspension has influenced the driver’s behavior on track.

“The prospect of a ban is affecting how Max drives,”

he said. Montoya noted that Verstappen had the speed to challenge Russell but seemed to take a more cautious approach.

“The last thing Max needs right now is not to race. Max had the pace to maybe have a go at George. He was ahead of the McLaren.”

According to Montoya, Red Bull likely gave Verstappen internal instructions to avoid risks.

“I’m pretty sure there was an intense conversation at Red Bull about how he needed to handle himself at the weekend. There’s no way they went business as usual.”

He added,

“The conversation would have gone along the lines that publicly we’re raising as usual, but Max, we cannot afford any mistakes. We cannot afford to give up a driver’s championship because of a sanction. Just bring it home.”

Montoya described Verstappen’s race management as unusually controlled, a stark contrast to his typical aggressive style.

“He had a good start, but he never attacked, he never pushed. Normally, you see Max on the first lap being all out, and he wasn’t. He was very controlled emotionally in the way he managed the race.”

Ongoing Rivalry Highlights Pressure in F1 Championship Battle

The clash between Mercedes and Red Bull remains a focal point of tension in the 2024 Formula 1 season, with George Russell’s breakthrough victory threatening Red Bull’s dominance. The protest and its dismissal underline the fine margins and high stakes in play as both teams navigate the pressures of championship contention. With the Austrian Grand Prix approaching, Verstappen’s situation adds an additional layer of complexity, as any mistake could lead to a costly race ban.

As the season progresses, these incidents serve as a reminder of how tactics, regulations, and driver discipline are tightly intertwined, shaping the championship’s direction and intensity.