Sports · Motorsport · 22 hrs ago
Russell calls US Grand Prix penalty ‘ridiculous’ as Montoya questions decision
Mercedes driver George Russell received a five-second penalty at the United States Grand Prix in Austin for leaving the track and rejoining ahead of Oscar Piastri.
The stewards said Russell had gained a lasting advantage, but reduced the usual 10-second penalty because it was a first-lap incident and he had been under pressure.
Russell called the penalty “ridiculous” after a difficult race, while former driver Juan Pablo Montoya questioned whether Russell gained an advantage.
Russell’s teammate Kimi Antonelli won the race, extending his lead in the championship.
Antonelli needs only a ninth-place finish at the next race in Mexico City to secure the title, leaving Russell’s championship hopes nearly over.
Russell said he would focus on helping Mercedes win the constructors’ championship.
George Russell received a five-second penalty at the United States Grand Prix for leaving the track and rejoining ahead of Oscar Piastri.
Former Formula 1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya questioned the penalty, saying Russell did not gain an advantage.
The FIA stewards said Russell rejoined ahead of Piastri and retained the position, gaining a lasting advantage.
Russell called the penalty “a bit ridiculous” after finishing seventh, according to Motorsport Week.
Russell’s Mercedes team-mate Kimi Antonelli won the race.
- Who
- George Russell was penalised; Juan Pablo Montoya questioned the decision.
- What
- Russell received a five-second penalty for leaving the track and rejoining ahead of Oscar Piastri. Montoya said Russell did not gain an advantage.
- When
- At the 2026 United States Grand Prix.
- Where
- Turn 12 at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin.
- Why
- The stewards ruled Russell had left the track, rejoined ahead of Piastri and retained the position, gaining a lasting advantage.
Juan Pablo Montoya
FIA stewards
Penalty
Juan Pablo Montoya
Montoya said Russell did not really gain an advantage.
FIA stewards
The stewards ruled Russell rejoined ahead of Piastri and retained the position, gaining a lasting advantage.
Russell left the track at Turn 12 and rejoined ahead of Piastri before Turn 13.
The stewards gave Russell a five-second penalty, reduced from the normal 10 seconds.
Montoya questioned the penalty during F1 TV’s post-race show in Austin.
- Penalty
- Five seconds
- Incident location
- Turn 12, Circuit of the Americas
- Other driver involved
- Oscar Piastri
- Montoya’s view
- Russell did not really gain an advantage
- Race winner
- Kimi Antonelli
4 sources
George Russell slams ‘ridiculous’ penalty at F1 United States GP
Juan Pablo Montoya questions George Russell's F1 United States GP penalty
Spotlight: Wolff on stewards’ decision to penalise Russell: “It’s legal, here, to smoke” | Briefs
What people are saying
I’m surprised about the penalty for George, because he didn’t really gain an advantage.
the penalty was a bit ridiculous, but that was the least of my worries after such a bad weekend.
Accordingly, he is determined by the stewards to have left the track, rejoined it and gained a lasting advantage.