Russell handed out a reprimand for yellow flag infringement

Mercedes driver George Russell has been handed out a reprimand after the stewards investigated a potential yellow flag infringement involving the British racer during qualifying.

Following a difficult opening day at Baku, George Russell bounced back in qualifying to secure fifth place on the grid for today’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

However, the two-time F1 race winner was called to the stewards to explain an incident that happened during a yellow-flag period in qualifying. The Briton was entering Turn 2 when yellow flags were flown to warn oncoming drivers of Carlos Sainz who overcooked it under braking and ran into the runoff zone.

After the investigation, the stewards elected not to penalize Russell, claiming that he was already committed to the corner and could not slow in time.

The FIA noted: “The Stewards heard from the driver of Car 63 (George Russell), team representative and reviewed positioning/marshalling system data, video, telemetry and in-car video evidence.

“This was a very similar case to the decision of this panel of Stewards regarding Charles Leclerc (document 29) with some important differences.

“Sainz ran into the runoff at Turn 2. Russell was the next car on track and was fully committed to his braking, and unlike Leclerc, was already turning into the corner, when the yellow flag was displayed on the far right of the runoff. The Stewards consider that there was no reasonable way for Russell to have seen that flag and even if he had, he could not have changed his braking.

“Once he rounded the corner, Russell accelerated normally. Unlike Leclerc, however, the illuminated green light panel between turn 2 and turn 3, was a significant distance further down the track and harder to see at the point of acceleration than in the case of Leclerc. But, ultimately, Russell did see the green.

“Russell also did not get the benefit of the DRS in that zone because it was automatically switched off, slowing his lap. The Stewards pointed out in the Leclerc decision many mitigating factors. In this case, the Stewards believe there is further mitigation.

“However, it is a matter of safety that the drivers understand that when they have seen a car in a runoff, and green light indicates that they are inside of a yellow sector and that some indication, such as a lift or at least limited acceleration, acknowledging that other issues can occur within a yellow zone.

“Thus, in this limited set of circumstances, in particular that the yellow flag could not have been seen, the Stewards order a Driving Reprimand rather than a more serious penalty.

“The Stewards recommend that this matter be clarified in the next Drivers’ meeting and note that these penalties should not represent a binding precedent.”