Russell claims ’19 of 20 drivers’ aligned on F1 rule change

George Russell has claimed “19 of 20 drivers” are aligned on changes needing to be made to F1’s overtaking guidelines. 

The rules were once again in the spotlight in the Mexico City Grand Prix after Max Verstappen received two 10-second time penalties and two penalty points for incidents involving title rival Lando Norris.

It came a week after the United States GP where Verstappen forced Norris off the track when the McLaren attempted a late pass – for which Norris was penalised. 

Talks between the drivers and the FIA over-tightening and simplifying racing guidelines are expected, as GPDA director Russell claimed all but one of the drivers on the grid agreed immediate changes were required.

“I think the stewards are totally on board with what needs to change,” Russell told media including RacingNews365.

“They wanted to wait until 2025 [to sort the guidelines], so it is consistent through this season, and I would say 19 out of 20 drivers said: ‘Well, if it is incorrect, make the change today’.

“I am glad to see those incidents were punished, and I suspect moving forward to Brazil, what we saw [in Mexico] and [in the United States], you won’t be able to get away with it.

“Sometimes it seems more difficult [to make changes] when things have to be approved, we have to go to a vote, but as I said, 19 drivers are aligned on what needs [to happen.]

“You see the number of manoeuvres and it is just getting beyond entertainment and beyond sporting [fairness].”

Russell’s own Mexico City GP

As for his own Mexico City GP, Russell finished fifth after a mixed weekend, including a big crash in FP2 that meant he required a chassis change, as he battled team-mate Lewis Hamilton late on. 

Hamilton eventually passed the younger Briton on the newer-spec Mercedes, but was carrying front-wing damage with a broken flap.

“I came out of the pits behind [Oscar] Piastri, I pulled out down the straight, and my front-left flap completely collapsed,” he said.

“I hit a bump, and so it was tricky to hold on for 40 laps, and I would have taken P5 after Friday. 

“I had made a really strong start, but was at the mercy of where drivers in front go and unfortunately, people who went to the right last year, went to the left. 

“It was good to fight with Lewis, because it is always hard and fair.”