F1 Driver Russell Calls For Transparency After Report That FIA President Sought To Overturn Penalty

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia: Mercedes driver George Russell has referred to as for transparency following a report alleging that the president of Formula 1’s governing physique intervened to overturn a penalty.

Russell completed fourth behind Fernando Alonso in final yr’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix however was briefly upgraded to 3rd when Alonso was given a 10-second penalty as a result of Aston Martin’s pit crew touched the automobile with a jack whereas serving an earlier penalty. That ruling was later overturned.

The BBC reported this week that an inner FIA doc mentioned president Mohammed Ben Sulayem had allegedly referred to as one other senior FIA official to say he thought the penalty needs to be overturned. F1 is racing in Saudi Arabia once more this week.

“We want to see all of the facts and just have total transparency, really. We are all racing here. We want a fair and level playing field for us to showcase what we can do,” mentioned Russell, who can be a director of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association, the physique which represents the F1 drivers in dealings with the FIA and different organizations.

The BBC additionally reported an allegation this week that Ben Sulayem had advised officers to not certify the circuit for final yr’s Las Vegas Grand Prix. The FIA has confirmed it obtained a report “detailing potential allegations involving certain members of its governing body” however didn’t give any particulars or specify whether or not Ben Sulayem was concerned.

“We were surprised a year ago when the result got overturned,” Russell mentioned. “The legal team, Mercedes thought they did a great job of presenting our case and initially winning the case and then losing it thereafter. So we just want to see transparency and have that opportunity to race on a level, fair playing field.”

Russell additionally mentioned it might be “exciting” if three-time champion Max Verstappen joined Mercedes as his teammate for 2025 when Lewis Hamilton leaves to affix Ferrari. Verstappen’s present staff, Red Bull, is in turmoil over the function of staff principal Christian Horner, who stays in cost after the staff’s guardian firm final week dismissed a criticism of alleged misconduct by Horner towards a staff worker. He has denied wrongdoing.

“I think any team wants to have the best driver lineup possible, and right now Max is the best driver on the grid, so if any team had a chance to sign Max, they would 100% be taking it,” Russell mentioned. “So I think the question is more on the other side, on his side and on Red Bull’s side. Obviously there’s so much going on there. We don’t know what truly is going on behind closed doors, and ultimately it’s none of our business right now. I guess it would be exciting.”

Verstappen received the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix final week and favored to retain his title.

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(This story has not been edited by News18 employees and is revealed from a syndicated information company feed – Associated Press)