Red Bull has lodged protests with the FIA stewards against George Russell’s victory in the Canadian Grand Prix.

Red Bull and Mercedes are heading to see the stewards after the Canadian GP, with the Milton Keynes-based squad lodging protests against Russell’s victory at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.

Red Bull lodges protest against George Russell

Hours after the chequered flag, the FIA confirmed protests had been lodged by Red Bull, following Max Verstappen’s second-place finish to George Russell.

However, the exact details of the protests have not yet been confirmed.

The issue that has likely triggered the protests could stem from the actions of Russell under the late-race Safety Car.

Under the Safety Car, Russell braked heavily down the back straight while approaching the chicane, resulting in Verstappen sailing past him on the right-hand side of the track having been caught by surprise by the British driver’s braking.

Russell immediately flagged over team radio that Verstappen had overtaken him under Safety Car – which is not permitted.

However, the rules, under Article 55.10 of the Sporting Regulations also dictate that, behind the Safety Car, the leader must keep within 10 car lengths of it, which Russell’s braking action may have resulted in opening a wider gap than this.

Article 55.5 of the same rulebook states that “No car may be driven unnecessarily slowly, erratically or in a manner which could be deemed potentially dangerous to other drivers or any other person at any time whilst the Safety Car is deployed.

“This will apply whether any such car is being driven on the track, the pit entry road, or the pit lane.”

Just what Russell has done that Red Bull has protested is not yet clear, but representatives from both teams will visit the stewards at 17:50pm local time in Montreal.

Onboard TV footage suggested Russell had looked in his right rear-view mirror immediately prior to his hard braking.

Verstappen headed into the Canadian Grand Prix with 11 penalty points on his FIA Super Licence and, should he pick up a penalty point between now and the end of the Austrian Grand Prix in a fortnight’s time, he will pick up an automatic race ban.

For Russell, who won the race less than a second ahead of Verstappen as the Safety Car saw the field home after a late collision between Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, a time penalty could result in him losing his victory if the FIA stewards rule against him for any reason.

Breaking news. More to follow…

Read Next: FIA set to take closer look at Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri collision as investigation begins