Red Bull Racing took proactive measures ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix by alerting the FIA to potential unsportsmanlike tactics that could be employed against their star driver, Max Verstappen. Team principal Christian Horner revealed that the team had communicated their concerns to FIA race director Rui Marques following a drivers' meeting on Friday.

Background and Concerns

Verstappen, a four-time world champion, arrived in Montreal with 11 penalty points on his super license, just one point shy of an automatic one-race suspension. This followed a collision with Mercedes' George Russell at the Spanish Grand Prix. Red Bull was particularly concerned that rival teams might attempt to provoke Verstappen into actions that could lead to additional penalty points, thereby triggering a ban.

Race Day Events

During the race, Verstappen finished second behind Russell. Red Bull subsequently lodged a protest, alleging unsportsmanlike behavior by Russell when the safety car was deployed. The team claimed that Russell braked unnecessarily and erratically, which forced Verstappen to overtake him momentarily, potentially leading to an infringement.

Stewards' Decision

The stewards reviewed the incident and dismissed Red Bull's protest, concluding that there was no evidence of unsportsmanlike conduct. Russell denied any intentional wrongdoing, and Mercedes emphasized that they had not filed any complaints against Verstappen.

Ongoing Rivalry

This incident is part of a broader rivalry between Verstappen and Russell, with Red Bull having protested against the Mercedes driver twice in the last five races. The tension between the two drivers adds an extra layer of intrigue to the Formula 1 season.

Conclusion

Red Bull's preemptive warning to the FIA underscores the high-stakes environment of Formula 1, where every point and every maneuver can have significant consequences. As the season progresses, the rivalry between Verstappen and Russell is likely to continue to be a focal point of competition and strategy.