Russell had to give back position to Hamilton after overtake in Miami
F1 News
- GPblog.com
In the closing stages of the Miami Grand Prix, it was not only exciting between Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc, but also between Mercedes teammates Lewis Hamilton and George Russell. The latter had the advantage of being able to make his pit stop during the safety car, but he had to do his overtaking twice.
By smartly timing his pit stop, Russell managed to come back from a twelfth starting position to just behind his teammate, who, according to team boss Toto Wolff, had to choose between two evils. Hamilton chose not to make a late pit stop and then lost his spot to Russell.
Russell had to give position back to Hamilton
However, this was not done according to the rules, the FIA ruled. The overtaking action was not broadcasted, but Russell would have exceeded the track limits. Wolff tells this in conversation with, among others, the Spanish Marca.
After this, Mercedes received a warning from the FIA and the instruction to give back the position. "There was no dialogue with the FIA, and I think that's how it should be. The FIA only told us to change position," explained the Mercedes team boss. At this Russell gave the position back to his teammate, after which he almost immediately overtook him again.