Latest news with #GeorgeRussell
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Red Bull's Canadian GP protest should spark F1 reform
Red Bull's decision to appeal the result of the Canadian Grand Prix drew widespread criticism, with Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff branding it 'petty' and 'embarrassing.' The ensuing delay in confirming the race result drew negative reactions from both fans and the media alike. It took more than five and a half hours for George Russell's victory to be officially confirmed by the FIA, after he was cleared of any wrongdoing by the stewards. Advertisement By that point, Max Verstappen had already left Canadian airspace – choosing not to wait and see if he might inherit the win from the Brit. Red Bull's protest centred on claims that Russell had driven 'erratically' behind the safety car and that his heavy braking amounted to 'unsportsmanlike behaviour.' Both arguments were dismissed by the stewards. However, it was the delay in reaching that decision that was the main problem, and also raises questions about the process of protesting a race result. Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Wolff criticised the timing of the protest, telling Sky Sports at the New York premiere of the F1 movie: 'It was two hours before [Red Bull] launched the protest, so that was their doing. It's so petty and so small. They come up with some weird clauses – what they call clauses. I guess the FIA needs to look at that because it was so far-fetched, it got rejected.' Advertisement Unsurprisingly, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner defended the protest. Speaking to the same outlet, he said: 'It's a team's right to do so. You have the ability to put it in front of the stewards, and that's what we chose to do. Absolutely no regrets.' Who is at Fault? Teams are entitled to protest the outcome of a race if they believe a sporting regulation has been violated or that new evidence was missed by the stewards. Horner revealed that the appeal cost €2,000 (£1,700) and admitted he was surprised Russell's driving wasn't flagged by the stewards initially. This also wasn't Red Bull's first protest of the season. During May's Miami Grand Prix, Russell – who once again finished ahead of Verstappen – was accused of failing to slow under yellow flags. Red Bull were making a point and felt Russell had not slowed sufficiently, with Horner saying they were simply seeking clarity of the regulations. Advertisement That claim, too, was dismissed. Christian Horner, Red Bull Racing Christian Horner, Red Bull Racing While there's no suggestion that Red Bull is deliberately targeting Russell, who has had a series of tense exchanges with Verstappen in recent years, the repeated protests do raise questions about the current appeal process in general. The €2,000 cost of filing a protest is not a deterrent, should a team wish to make a point or seek clarification over a regulation. After all, there are other mechanisms for this to be raised that would not delay the outcome of a race result. But if that fee were increased and counted toward the cost cap – it could discourage teams from lodging speculative appeals without solid evidence. Advertisement A higher financial burden would likely ensure only well-founded protests are brought forward, potentially speeding up the process for the stewards and avoiding unnecessary delays. A problem of resources In the case of Canada, the situation was further complicated by the sheer volume of post-race investigations. According to the rules, incidents are reviewed in the order they are reported. Red Bull's protest, submitted two hours after the chequered flag, was placed last in the queue. Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team, Carlos Sainz, Williams, Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team, Carlos Sainz, Williams, Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber Before reaching Russell's case, the stewards had to examine incidents involving Ollie Bearman, Lando Norris, and Esteban Ocon – followed by seven separate alleged infringements of the safety car procedure. Advertisement It was a frustrating experience for everyone. Fans at the circuit left without clarity, while many in Europe went to bed not knowing who had actually won the race. It was not a good look for a sport that is trying to grow its appeal around the world. Maybe there is scope for race stewards to delegate, meaning that the Remote Operations Centre in Geneva could cycle through the lesser offences using all the technology at its disposal. That would free up those stewards at the track to oversee Red Bull's protest and ultimately result in quicker decision-making. Another possibility would be to increase the number of stewards, something the FIA is already working on as it looks to increase its pool of qualified race officials. Interestingly, in Canada, officials at the race had more resources at their disposal as the FIA had four stewards adjudicating the race rather than the usual three. The increase in stewards is being trialled at six raced this year, including at Singapore and Brazil later this season. Advertisement Read Also: Christian Horner defends Red Bull Canadian GP protest: "Absolutely no regrets" Toto Wolff: Red Bull's Canadian GP protest was "so petty and so small" Whatever the solution, it is important that the lengthy delay in confirming the race result is addressed as a matter of urgency, for it would be bad news for everyone if this became common place. To read more articles visit our website.
New York Times
13 hours ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Why hasn't George Russell got a Mercedes F1 contract extension yet? It's overdue
George Russell's eyes narrowed under his flowing locks. His look hardened, steel glinting in what was left of his vision. This was the pre-event media day at the 2024 Spanish Grand Prix and I'd just asked what Russell made of critics who were then saying he makes too many mistakes under pressure. It was, after all, bellowed at certain Formula One TV viewers during the preceding race in Canada… There, as he did last weekend in Montreal, Russell had started on pole ahead of Red Bull's Max Verstappen and brilliantly led the early stages. But as that wet race dried up, his rivals came back to him in a way they just didn't in 2025 — and mishaps followed. He went off, twice, and ill-advisedly turned with McLaren's Oscar Piastri well alongside at the track's final chicane. Advertisement In another 2025 parallel, Canada 2024 was Mercedes' first chance to nick a win against the season's run of form. Then, it went begging. 'I have no need to respond to those people (who say I crack under pressure),' Russell replied to me, before doing precisely that. 'I could drive one tenth off the pace for 70 laps in a row and I wouldn't make a single mistake. '(In) 2022 I didn't make a single mistake in the whole season (Mick Schumacher in Singapore that year would very much beg to differ), but I wasn't pushing myself the way I'm pushing myself now. 'I could drive one tenth off the pace, not make a single mistake, and it looks like a flawless race from the outside. But knowing within that I had a tenth on the table, I'd be kicking myself for not pushing myself to the limit. So, people can say what they want. I'm pushing myself above and beyond. And maybe overstretched slightly because I'm trying to…' Russell tailed off, so we'll return to the aftermath of his 2025 Canadian GP triumph. After all, he's achieved exactly what he was getting at this time a year ago. The 27-year-old has clearly made a step up from what were already high-level performances in that time. His tire management mastery won the 2024 Belgian GP before Russell was ultimately disqualified for his car being underweight. His tire warm-up work on Mercedes' cool-weather predilection sent him to Las Vegas glory. And at the start of 2025, he and Verstappen stand alone in how they've maximised car potential this term — bar the Spanish GP calamity moment from the Dutchman. How Russell saw off Lando Norris' McLaren even as his Mercedes was effectively shutting down around him in Bahrain shows how much better he's dealing with the pressure these days. That was again on display in the face of intense, race-long pressure from unquestionably F1's best driver of the current era in Montreal. And Russell aced it. Russell has made a point of standing up to Verstappen in the intervening time, too. Such an approach will make you a villain to Max's fans. And in his seven-and-a-half years on the grid, Russell has become a something of polarizing figure to F1's fractured fanbase. His honed public image is quintessentially British (enough alone to rub many fans up the wrong way). And a feeling pervades in the paddock that he just tries a bit too hard — illustrated by his post-qualifying interview quip about Verstappen's penalty points situation, but also in becoming a Grand Prix Drivers' Association director aged 23 and so wading forthrightly into many a public debate. Advertisement The flip side of the latter point is that Russell just wants to give back to F1 and its fans — very Sebastian Vettel-like in several ways. Now, there's a driver who didn't gain widespread F1 popularity until much later in his F1 career… Scenes such as Russell eviscerating his then-Williams squad after practice at the 2019 British GP, when he was but a rookie and captured by Netflix's 'Drive to Survive' cameras, play into how Russell is characterised. He demanded lots of those around him even before he made it to F1. As an aside, so does his 2019 Williams team-mate Robert Kubica, who'd made it quite the weekend for that former pairing by leading AF Corse's quasi-customer Ferrari Hypercar squad to a popular Le Mans 24 Hours victory earlier last Sunday. In an era when people crave authentic public personalities, it's worth reflecting that the Russell we see reflects the man himself. He tries hard outwardly because that is just his nature. Anyway, after all the penalty point(s)-making chat of last week, there was still one of F1's best races to win. He did so with aplomb overall. And yet, he's still without a Mercedes contract extension beyond 2025. Russell isn't talking to any other team. And he doesn't have to. If Toto Wolff does pull off the unlikely and lure Verstappen from Red Bull, a straight swap into the only other regularly front-running team with a free seat is Russell's best option. A switch to Aston Martin (as was rumored here this week) or the coming Cadillac squad would risk leaving Russell stranded in the midfield, or worse. The latest from Wolff on Russell's contract is that 'we're going to get there' — around 'triple-headers getting out of the way and one race after the other now in June and July'. The long-awaited extension is thought to be a formality in the paddock. An announcement at Russell's upcoming home race at Silverstone has a nice ring to it, but more likely it'll come ahead of F1's traditional August summer break. Advertisement That's if it does, though. Verstappen's ongoing uncertain Red Bull future is thought to be behind the delay. Given his position as F1's peloton patron — through sheer weight of success if nothing else — Verstappen remains a lucrative prospect for any team. And Wolff knows this well. He is privately convinced that with the right management, moments like the Monza 2021, Budapest 2024, Spain 2025 (I really could go on) red mist wouldn't have happened for Verstappen; that it's the fault of Red Bull/Christian Horner approach to driver management that it has already repeatedly occurred. But the point of no return has long passed. Verstappen is the force of F1 nature he is because of his life lessons to this point. He has achieved all he has because of it, too. Bringing him into a ship that Wolff hates being rocked is just too risky. It's far more logical to allow Russell to deliver his prime F1 years with Mercedes while Kimi Antonelli continues rising than to gamble Mercedes' current team harmony all on signing Max, brilliant as he is. And, thanks to Mercedes' many car weaknesses in this rules era, F1 actually doesn't know how good Russell ultimately might be. His peaks suggest he could be right up there with the best, now the mistakes of early 2024 are seemingly gone. Really, Mercedes has let Russell down with its car performance since promoting him from Williams for 2022. But now it can reward him with its faith for the future. And that might just include returning to title challenging come 2026 and the new engine formula. If that comes to pass, assessments of Russell's standing with F1 fans will reach a new level altogether. Like Verstappen, though, don't expect him to change. There's just too much inner steel.
Irish Examiner
a day ago
- General
- Irish Examiner
Peter Dowdall: How to give lupins the TLC they need to thrive
A noxious weed in one country is often a treasured garden gem in another, and believe it or not, lupins fall into this category. In parts of New Zealand and Northern Europe, Lupinus polyphyllus, the species behind many of our cultivated garden hybrids, is an invasive. In New Zealand's South Island and in countries like Finland and Sweden, it spreads rapidly, covering entire riverbanks and roadsides with spectacular, towering spires in blues and purples. Whilst the displays may be breathtaking and draw tourists in their droves, in these fragile habitats, the plant crowds out native species and alters the natural balance by enriching the soil with nitrogen, favouring invasive growth over indigenous flora. Its spread also disrupts river systems, threatening the survival of rare birds and native wildlife. In our gardens, the lupins we grow, mainly derived from Lupinus polyphyllus but bred into stable hybrids like the famous Russell strains, are generally well-behaved. They are short-lived perennials that often need a bit of mollycoddling to encourage them to thrive. Far from being invasive, they usually vanish within a season or two. They were once the stars of early summer, loved for their upright form and bold colours. Their rise to fame came largely thanks to George Russell, a railway worker from York with a passion for plant breeding. Over decades, he selected and stabilised hybrid lupins for rich colour, tighter flower spikes, and stronger garden performance. His Russell hybrids exploded onto the horticultural scene in the 1930s and quickly became a fixture of the cottage-style border. They can be tricky, and I have often found them to be short-lived, fussy about conditions, and prone to attack from both pests and disease. In spring, the newly emerging lupin shoots emerge like a gourmet feast for slugs and snails. Control them at this stage to allow the plant to establish, use barriers of sheep's wool pellets, slate mulch, crushed eggshells or sharp horticultural grit around the base of plants. Then there are the aphids; lupins are loved by greenfly and blackfly, and more recently, the lupin aphid, which is a large, pale grey/green aphid that has become a serious pest of garden lupins in recent years. Unlike smaller aphid species, the lupin aphid tends to appear in dense, dramatic infestations, often on the undersides of leaves and along the flowering stems. Entire plants can be overwhelmed within a day or two, with distorted growth and wilting, or stunted flowers. The sheer volume of aphids can physically weigh down stems and produce large quantities of sticky honeydew. What makes them particularly challenging is that natural predators like ladybirds and hoverflies often arrive too late or in insufficient numbers to provide effective control. Because of this, early intervention is key. Avoid using chemical sprays, which will do far more harm than good. If infestations are caught early, a sharp jet of water or pruning off the worst-affected shoots will keep them in check. A homemade garlic spray will make the plants unpalatable to aphids without upsetting the wider ecosystem. Our warm and damp climate creates the ideal conditions for the development of many fungal infections, such as powdery mildew and grey mould. Good air circulation is crucial. Don't cram plants too closely together, and water early in the day so foliage dries quickly. If mildew does appear, remove the affected leaves and dispose of them; don't compost them, as they can end up spreading the spores. Once attacked by aphids, the lupins' resistance to infections is lowered, so controlling the insects is vital. Lupins growing at Lake Tekapo, South Island, New Zealand. File picture Despite all these challenges, lupins are worth the effort when they succeed. The key is giving them what they need. They like full sun and free-draining, slightly poor soil, not the rich, moist compost we tend to offer everything else. Avoid waterlogged ground, particularly over winter, or the roots will rot. Shelter them from strong winds, as the flower spikes are prone to snapping. If your garden is exposed, stake them early or grow them through low supports. To give yourself every chance of success, choose your variety wisely; the Russell Hybrids remain some of the best to grow. Look out for cultivars like The Governor, My Castle or The Chatelaine. For smaller spaces or containers, the Gallery series offers a compact alternative with all the flair of their taller cousins. Definitely worth seeking out are the West Country lupins, a newer range bred in Devon for better vigour, richer colours, and improved weather resistance. These plants tend to produce dense, uniform flower spikes and come in some truly spectacular shades. Cultivars like Persian Slipper, in a rich blue and cream, or Masterpiece, with its deep purple and orange tones, are particularly eye-catching, whilst L. Blossom is the most beautiful and delicate, pale pink. To prolong flowering, cut back the main flower spike just as it starts to fade. This often encourages a second flush from side shoots. Lupins are worth the effort. There is something joyful about them, a reminder of the glory days of gardening when every border had its spires and every June came with a riot of colour. They might not last forever, and they might ask a bit more than many more modern plants, but perhaps, that's part of the charm.
Newsweek
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Newsweek
George Russell Remains Unconcerned Despite No Confirmation on 2026 F1 Seat
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Mercedes Formula One driver George Russell is unconcerned about not having a confirmed F1 seat for next year after his recent win at the Canadian Grand Prix. Despite his current Mercedes contract expiring at the end of 2025, the Briton is confident about racing next year. Russell secured pole position for the race at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve and dominated the entire race until the chequered flag came out. He is currently placed fourth in the Drivers' Standings with 136 points, 19 points adrift of Max Verstappen in third. While the Montreal race last weekend was his first win of the 2025 season, Russell showcased an excellent performance last year and proved what he can do with a quick car. Race winner George Russell of Great Britain and Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team in the Drivers Press Conference during the F1 Grand Prix of Canada at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve on June 15, 2025 in Montreal, Quebec. Race winner George Russell of Great Britain and Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team in the Drivers Press Conference during the F1 Grand Prix of Canada at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve on June 15, 2025 in Montreal, question about his Mercedes contract extension arrived amid rumors of Aston Martin reaching out to him for a potential seat in 2026. When asked about the delay in Mercedes' contract extension after the Canadian GP, Russell said: "It doesn't hurt! It doesn't hurt at all. But, you know, as I've said many times, I'm not concerned at all about next year. I know I'm going to be on the grid next year. "I feel that I'm driving better than ever. I still feel I've got more in the tank. I feel ready to fight for a World Championship, and I think results like today, results like Bahrain this year when we got half a chance of a good result, we're there to take it. "And I'm pretty relaxed. Just enjoying the moment, enjoying my racing, and just taking it week by week." Russell hinted that he has been approached by other teams, but confirmed his loyalty to Mercedes, despite reports of the team's interest in Max Verstappen. He added: "No. I'm not talking with anybody else and any teams who have shown interest. "I have been quite open to say my intentions are to stay with Mercedes. That's always been clear. And I am loyal to Mercedes. They gave me this chance to get into Formula 1. "There haven't been any hard feelings with any of the talks that have been going around, especially around Max. Because, like I said on numerous times, why wouldn't teams be interested in Max? "If every driver had no contracts for next year, Max would be number one for every single team. And that's understandable. But ultimately, there are two seats for every race team. "I knew if I continue to perform as I'm doing, my position would not be under threat whatsoever. So, I feel in a good place. "We're in no rush to do contract negotiations. We want to win together. Especially Kimi and I being team-mates now – we're getting a result like today, both junior drivers from Mercedes, we're both doing the job in terms of performance. Why would you want to change something that's working?" Newsweek Sports reported Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff's comments from the race weekend in Canada, who confirmed that a contract extension is coming for Russell. However, it remains to be seen when both parties choose to sign the new deal.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
F1 premiere: George Russell and Brad Pitt chat about twinning in same shirts, Pierre Gasly cracks a joke about Pitt's character Sonny Hayes
Image credit: George Russell and Pierre Gasly/Instagram Brad Pitt's F1 movie had its grand premiere at Times Square in New York and was nothing short of spectacular. Formula cars lined up at the venue as the black carpet was laid out for the F1 fraternity. George Russell, Alex Albon, Esteban Ocon, and co-producer Lewis Hamilton have now shared their pictures and videos from the premiere. Most of them arrived with their girlfriends for the event, which also had F1 team principals and the star cast of the film in attendance. Formula 1 drivers share happy memories from F1 movie premiere George Russell shared a video of him meeting Brad Pitt and having a small chat about how they were twinning in similar shirts. Russell wrote in the caption: 'When you both turn up wearing the same salmon shirt… Awesome to be in NYC for the F1 Movie Premiere,' along with a laughing emoji. Fresh from his first win of the season at the Canadian Grand Prix, Russell shared more pictures, including one in which he was posing with Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc and Apple CEO Tim Cook. A couple more pictures showed him posing and chatting with his Mercedes boss Toto Wolff. He also shared a video of himself walking down the street towards his car and waving to fans. He captioned the post, 'Movie night in the big apple. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Our one of a kind Patented Cold Water Extraction Process Superior Ginseng Undo ' Haas driver Esteban Ocon shared several candid moments from the F1 premiere on his Instagram page. He posted pictures with F1 drivers like Charles Leclerc, Franco Colapinto, and others. He also shared a few pictures with his girlfriend Flavy Barla as they posed together in their hotel room. He also shared a picture of himself and Barla posing with the other F1 couple, his Haas teammate Ollie Bearman and his girlfriend Alicia Stent-Torriani. Alpine driver Pierre Gasly attended the event with his girlfriend Francisca Cerqueira Gomes. He shared some photos from the premiere on Instagram along with a hilarious note. It read: 'What a night!! F1 movie premiere in Times Square yesterday, definitely a pinch me moment, the whole event felt pretty surreal. Excited to hear what you guys think of the F1 movie, I personally really liked it! That Sonny Hayes guy is pretty damn fast, but surely not many points left on his licence. ' Williams driver Alex Albon attended the F1 premiere with girlfriend and golfer Lily Muni He. He shared a bunch of pictures of them walking the black carpet at Times Square, sitting in a car, and raising a toast. It was Lily's birthday, and she had rung in the day with midnight birthday celebrations in their hotel room. She posted pictures with Albon as they celebrated the occasion with burgers and a small birthday cake. Kick Sauber driver Gabriel Bortoleto also shared a few pictures with his girlfriend from the F1 premiere. He simply wrote, 'NY' in the caption. Co-producer Lewis Hamilton pens note post F1 premiere Lewis Hamilton is a co-producer of the film and joined the cast and crew at the F1 premiere. He shared a bunch of pictures with the movie cast, including Pitt, Damson Idris, and Apple CEO Tim Cook. The movie is directed by Joseph Kosinski. The Ferrari driver penned a note along with the photos. It read: 'NY premiere of the @f1movie!! I'm so proud to be a part of this as my first production with Dawn Apollo Films. Something of this scale with so many talented people working together to create the most authentic F1 film remains an incredible experience. Thank you to the cast, crew, Apple, Warner Bros., Jerry and Joe for trusting me as a first time producer. This is only the beginning. ' Also Read: F1 movie premiere: Charles Leclerc, Alex Albon, Pierre Gasly and their girlfriends join Lewis Hamilton, Brad Pitt at Times Square F1, the movie, stars Brad Pitt as a car racer who goes on to realize his own dream of becoming an F1 champion while making a comeback to mentor an F1 rookie. The film also stars Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Tobias Menzies, and Javier Bardem. It is set to release in theatres on June 27. Most of the F1 drivers currently competing this season have played cameos in the film and have given positive reviews after watching the movie ahead of release. Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik's inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 here
