The Formula 1 world is again in turmoil after the controversial aftermath of the Grand Prix of Canada on 8 June 2025, where Red Bull Racing submitted a protest against the racing result. According to F1TV analyst and former Formula 1 driver Jolyon Palmer, this protest, directed against Mercedes driver George Russell, was nothing less than a “complete farce”. The Max Verstappen team accused Russell of irregular driving behavior under the Safety Car, but the FIA ​​rejected both complaints, so Russell retained his victory. Palmer did not spare his criticism and pointed to Red Bull with an accusing finger, while suggesting that Verstappen’s proximity to a suspension was the driving force behind the protest. In the meantime, Red Bulls simulator driver Rudy van Buren expressed his frustration, accusing Russell of intentional play to put Verstappen into trouble.

The Grand Prix of Canada was a chaotic race, characterized by changing weather conditions and multiple safety car periods. George Russell achieved his second career victory, a milestone for Mercedes, which is struggling with the dominant teams Red Bull and McLaren this season. However, after the race, Red Bull submitted a protest in which they accused Russell of two violations under the Safety Car: irregular driving through a sudden braking action and driving on more than ten car lengths behind the Safety Car. Both points were investigated by the FIA, but the stewards ruled that no rule violations had been committed. Russell retained his victory, to Red Bull’s great annoyance.

Jolyon Palmer, who, as an analyst for F1TV, has a keen eye for the dynamics of the sport, was not tender in his opinion on Red Bull’s actions. “The end of the race in Canada, that nonsense with Max and George under the Safety Car … It was a complete farce that went to the stewards. It was really completely nonsense,” Palmer said in a recent broadcast. He argued that Red Bull had no reason to submit a protest because Russell did nothing wrong. According to Palmer, Russell followed the rules and his driving behavior was within the limits of what is allowed under the Safety Car. The former Renault driver pointed out that the FIA’s decision to reject the protest was the only correct one.

Palmer continued and suggested that Red Bulls protest came from the precarious situation of Verstappen, which is at eleven penalty points – only one point away from an automatic suspension for a race. “I don’t know if the incident itself would have expired other Teacher, but the symptoms afterwards were certainly because Max had only one point before he was suspended,” said Palmer. He found it worrying that Red Bull put so much energy in challenging the situation, while, according to him, Verstappen would have no problems if he “just does his normal thing”. Palmer hinted that Verstappen, who is known for his aggressive driving style, may have to be more careful to avoid a suspension, but that Red Bulls protest was a strategic move rather than a legitimate complaint.

On the other side of the spectrum, Rudy van Buren, Red Bulls Simulator driver and a close colleague of Verstappen, clearly showed his frustration. In an interview after the race in Montreal, Van Buren described his feelings as “stimulated” and continued: “Because the camera is on, I was slightly irritated. And a little more behind the scenes.” He expressed his dissatisfaction with Russell’s actions, who, according to him, were deliberately to put Verstappen into trouble. “If you need practices like that to take people dots, you should look at yourself. And win it on the job,” Van Buren said sharp. His words reflect the frustration within the Red Bull camp, which feels that Russell consciously sought the boundaries to provoke Verstappen.

The controversy in Canada is only the newest chapter in a season full of tensions between Verstappen, Red Bull and the FIA. In 2025, Verstappen already had several times to do with penalties and controversial decisions, such as a time penalty in Spain for a collision with Russell, getting three penalty points. With eleven penalty points on his super license, Verstappen balances on the edge, and every violation can give him a suspension. This makes Red Bulls protest in Canada all the more remarkable, because the risk of further sanctions for Verstappen is realistic. The situation becomes even more complex because of the rumors that FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, whose deadline ends in 2025, consciously uses rules and punishments to break Verstappens dominance, as previously reported byMotorsport.com.

The Grand Prix of Canada was a turning point for Mercedes, which finally achieved a victory after a difficult season. Russell, who grabbed pole position and won the race, showed his class in challenging circumstances. His driving behavior under the Safety Car, however, was questioned by Red Bull, despite the fact that the FIA ​​ruled that there was no violation. According toAutosportRussell followed the guidelines, and his braking action was a normal reaction to the Safety Car. The rule that drivers must remain within ten car lengths is intended to prevent dangerous situations, but stewards found no evidence that Russell violated the rules.

For Red Bull and Verstappen, the situation is frustrating, especially since the team is less dominant in 2025 than in previous years. Although Verstappen secured his fourth title in 2024, McLaren has won the constructors’ championship, and teams such as Ferrari and Mercedes gain strength. Red Bull team boss Christian Horner defended the protest and stated that the team wanted “clarity” about the rules. “We thought George was inconsistent, and that had to be investigated,” Horner saidRacingNews365. Nevertheless, according to critics, the protest seems to be more an attempt to put Russell under pressure than a justified complaint.

The dynamics between Verstappen and Russell have been tense in recent years. Their collision in Spain, in which Verstappen accused Russell of “deliberately trying to sew him”, the rivalry has fueled further. Verstappens pronounced character and his refusal to conform to what he sees as unnecessary rules have given him both admirers and critics. Fans on platforms such as X support Verstappen en masse, with messages such as: “The FIA ​​is aiming for Max!” And “Russell plays dirt, but Red Bull is punished.” On the other hand, Mercedes fans praise Russell to perform his smart driving style and ability to perform under pressure.

With the Grand Prix of Austria on June 29, 2025, Verstappen is again in the spotlight. Red Bull, which is traditionally strong on their home job, hopes for a strong performance to overcome the negative publicity. Verstappen himself remains focused, like heDe Telegraafsaid: “I let things like this slide away. I focus on driving and winning races.” Yet the threat of a suspension remains, and the question is whether Red Bull and Verstappen will adjust their strategy to avoid further confrontations with the FIA.

The controversy in Canada underlines the complexity of Formula 1, where sporting performance, political games and personal rivalries come together. Jolyon Palmers hard words and Rudy van Burens frustration show how polarized the opinions are. While the FIA ​​is sticking to its rules, Verstappen remains determined to silence his critics – on the track, where he speaks best.