George Russell under investigation despite his best time in Q1 in Madrid

George Russell dominated a particularly eventful Q1 in Madrid, but the Mercedes driver is now under investigation for not respecting the race director’s instructions.

George Russell set the best time in the first part of the Spanish Grand Prix qualifying, but his session was not entirely perfect. The Briton will have to appear before the stewards after qualifying for a possible breach of the instructions given by race director Rui Marques.

The Mercedes driver is accused of not properly using the runoff area imposed at the first corner of the Madring. An incident that did not prevent Russell from finishing Q1 in the lead, ahead of his teammate Kimi Antonelli, but which could have consequences on his starting position.

Russell dominates Q1 but is under investigation

The race director’s instructions specified the procedure to be followed by drivers forced to cut the first corner. Russell allegedly did not follow these instructions and his case will therefore be examined once the qualifying session is over.

This investigation comes as the Briton showed particular speed. Russell set the best time in Q1 with about five hundredths of a second advantage over Antonelli, once again confirming Mercedes’ competitiveness on the new Spanish circuit.

However, his session also had another scare when the W17 touched the wall. Despite the contact on the left side of the car, no significant damage seemed immediately visible and Russell was able to continue his session normally.

Mercedes still very fast in Madrid

This first place in Q1 mainly confirms that Mercedes remains the benchmark in Madrid after dominating the three practice sessions. Russell had set the best time in FP1 on Friday before Antonelli took over in FP2 and then FP3.

Toto Wolff had also estimated a few minutes before qualifying that his two drivers had the pace necessary to fight for pole position. The Mercedes boss had however warned that the gaps could be extremely small and that a tenth of a second could be enough to shake up several positions.

Russell provided a new illustration of this in Q1 by narrowly beating his teammate. It remains to be seen how far the Briton can climb the order during the rest of qualifying, but also whether his alleged infringement at the first corner will cost him anything after the session.

Sainz also summoned by the stewards

Russell will not be the only driver expected in the stewards’ office. Carlos Sainz is also under investigation for potentially impeding Valtteri Bottas during this particularly eventful Q1.

Images seem to show the Williams driver significantly slowing the Cadillac as Bottas was on a flying lap. Unlike Russell’s case, the infringement therefore appears to directly concern on-track obstruction, a type of incident regularly penalized by a grid drop.

Sainz also had a difficult session as he failed to get past the first qualifying hurdle. The Spaniard finished in 17th place and a possible three-place penalty, a sanction frequently applied for obstruction in qualifying, could further complicate his situation.

A decision expected after qualifying

For Russell, it will be necessary to wait until the end of the session to know the stewards’ decision. His incorrect use of the runoff area at the first corner will be examined along with the specific instructions communicated to the drivers before the weekend began.

The investigation therefore does not immediately call into question his best Q1 time and the Briton can continue his qualifying normally. However, a possible sanction could be applied on the Grand Prix starting grid.

Russell thus finds himself in a paradoxical situation: the Mercedes driver was the fastest in a turbulent Q1 and confirms that he can aim for pole position, but he will then have to defend his behavior before the stewards. Carlos Sainz will also have to explain himself after a possible obstruction of Bottas which could cost him several additional places on the grid.

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