FIA rejects Red Bull protest against Russell, How a groundhog cost Hamilton at the Canadian GP, and other big updates

FIA rejects Red Bull protest against Russell

Red Bull’s protest over George Russell’s driving in the Canadian Grand Prix during the Safety Car period was dismissed. The team raised concerns after Russell briefly slowed down, which caused Max Verstappen to momentarily overtake him before falling back into place. Verstappen, who was already under pressure due to his penalty points, complained that Russell “suddenly just aggressively braked,” while Russell claimed Verstappen passed him under caution. Despite Christian Horner criticizing Russell’s actions as erratic and unsafe, the FIA ruled in Russell’s favor, and he kept the win.

Click here to read the full article by Lewis Larkam & Connor McDonagh (crash.net)

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How a groundhog cost Hamilton at the Canadian GP

Lewis Hamilton hit a groundhog early in the Canadian Grand Prix, which damaged his Ferrari and ended his chance of getting a good result. He started in fifth place and was hoping for a podium, but the crash left a hole in the car’s floor and later caused brake problems. Hamilton said he felt slow after the hit and also lost time because of a late first pit stop. Ferrari team boss Fred Vasseur said the damage cost a lot of performance and joked about sending flowers to the marmot.

Click here to read the full article by Mark Mann-Bryans (motorsport.com)

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Alpine project shaken by Renault CEO exit

Luca de Meo has quit as CEO of Renault, and this could affect the future of the Alpine F1 team. He led the company’s “Renaulution” starting in 2020, which included transforming Renault’s F1 team into Alpine and pushing major changes like using Mercedes engines from 2026. His resignation also puts the future of Flavio Briatore in doubt since de Meo was the one who brought him back and gave him the authority to cut costs. While Renault praised de Meo for making the company profitable again, his exit could hurt Alpine’s stability and long-term plans.

Click here to read the full article by Jack Oliver Smith (motorsportweek.com)

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Leclerc blames Ferrari for costly strategy call

Charles Leclerc finished fifth at the Canadian Grand Prix but was left frustrated after Ferrari ignored his call for a one-stop strategy and instead committed to a two-stop plan that didn't pay off. He openly criticized the team's execution and admitted tensions during race-day radio exchanges, as his preferred strategy had worked well for others like Carlos Sainz and Esteban Ocon. Team boss Fred Vasseur admitted they lacked data and played it too safe but agreed they should be willing to take more risks when starting from the back.

Click here to read the full article by Michael Delaney (f1i.com)

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F1 Academy locks in Canada deal through 2028

F1 Academy will keep racing in Canada until the 2028 season. This is not common for junior racing series, which don’t usually get long contracts like this. The race organizers said the deal is about the schedule and supporting women, and making racing more inclusive. The announcement comes as the series becomes more popular, with a Netflix show and more fans watching worldwide.

Click here to read the full article by Cian Brittle (f1i.com)