George Russell has kept his second place in the Bahrain Grand Prix despite the stewards confirming he activated his Drag Reduction System when he should not have.
The stewards took the unusual step of issuing no penalty of any kind despite ruling that an infringement had occured.
They confirmed Russell had to operate his DRS manually because of a fault in the timing system which prevented his car’s position being tracked. This is needed in order for the system to judge whether Russell was close enough to another car to use DRS.
Russell was also experiencing other problems with his car at the time and as a result accidentally activated his DRS at one point, the stewards explained.
“The connection between the automated DRS activation system and the car failed due to issues with a timing loop provided by an external party. Therefore the FIA authorised manual activation of the DRS in accordance with Article 22.1 h).
“At the time the driver was experiencing a brake-by-wire issue and other electronic issues. He was at that time advised to use an auxiliary button in the cockpit which serves as a back-up radio button but also serves as a manual DRS activation button.
“On the straight between turns 10 and 11 he tried to radio the team using this button but instead accidentally activated the DRS.”
Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and
According to the stewards, telemetry showed Russell only gained a very small amount of time and immediately took action to correct it by slowing down.
“The DRS was activated for a distance of 37 metres on a straight of approximately 700 metres. Whilst he gained 0.02 seconds, he gave up 0.28 seconds at the next corner to compensate. This was confirmed by telemetry.
“Accordingly whilst technically a breach occurred the stewards decide that as there was no sporting advantage gained, no penalty is imposed.”
Unusually, despite confirming the rules had been breached, the stewards chose to issue no penalty of any kind, rather than a minor or inconsequential sanction such as a reprimand, warning or small fine.
Miss nothing from RaceFans
Get a daily email with all our latest stories – and nothing else. No marketing, no ads. Sign up here:
Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and
2025 Bahrain Grand Prix
- “What the hell have you done?” Leclerc shocked by his DRS opening at turn 12
- McLaren makes best start to a season since before its drivers were born
- Norris feels “nowhere near the capability I have” in McLaren’s 2025 car
- “I don’t think it was right”: Antonelli disagreed with Mercedes over third pit stop
- “Oh my God that was difficult”: Full radio from Verstappen’s luckless Bahrain GP