Red Bull fail with George Russell protest at Miami GP

Red Bull's protest against Mercedes driver George Russell following the F1 Miami Grand Prix has been rejected. 

Russell benefitted from pitting under a Virtual Safety Car period during Sunday’s race to jump ahead of Max Verstappen and claim the final spot on the podium in third, behind the dominant McLarens.

Red Bull believe Russell failed to slow for yellow flags when Sauber’s Gabriel Bortoleto retired with engine trouble on Lap 33.

Verstappen was heard radioing in to his team to complain that Russell had not respected the yellow flags.

The Dutchman was later told to ensure he finished within five seconds of Russell. He crossed the line 2.3s behind the Mercedes driver.

This was despite no messages from race control about any investigation.

Red Bull subsequently decided to lodge a protest against Russell following the race.

Both Carlos Sainz and Pierre Gasly were summoned to see the stewards for an alleged breach of Appendix H of Article 2.5.5 of the FIA’s International Sporting Code, which relates to failing to slow for yellow flags.

Russell was summoned to see the stewards about the incident following Red Bull’s protest.

The Briton did not attend the post-race FIA press conference for medical reasons, having complained of having bad stomach cramps in the closing stages of the race. 

The Miami stewards ultimately threw out Red Bull's protest. 

"It was evident from the onboard footage as well as from telemetry that Car 63 lifted the throttle when passing the yellow flag zone. The throttle was lifted by approx. 25 percent and this resulted in a reduction of torque of approx. 30 percent," they said. 

"Article 26.1. a) requires the driver to have “discernibly reduced speed” in a yellow flag zone but does not specify if that means reducing the absolute speed or reducing the speed relative to the regular racing speed in the relevant part of the track. 

"The speed of Car 63 in the yellow flag zone was considerably slower than the regular racing speed, but the absolute speed while passing through the yellow flag zone increased slightly. 

"The Stewards determine that the requirement of Article 26.1 a) concerning the reduction of speed in a yellow flag zone can only relate to a reduction relative to the regular racing speed as the reduction of the absolute speed can, depending on the part of the track in which the yellow flag is displayed, represent a compliance or a non-compliance with the regulations whereas a reduction of the relative speed always signals that the driver has acknowledged and respected the yellow flag. For instance, in a braking zone the absolute speed can be reduced without necessarily complying with the regulations."