George Russell and Oscar Piastri Visit Stewards Over Canadian GP Collision
The 2024 Canadian Grand Prix at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve witnessed a dramatic collision between Mercedes driver George Russell and McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, leading to a stewards’ investigation. The incident occurred during the final stages of the race after a Safety Car restart, adding tension to an already thrilling contest.
Russell, who had started the race from pole position, was on fresh tyres and aggressively chasing Piastri for position. The clash happened at the infamous Turn 13/14 chicane when Russell attempted to overtake Piastri on the outside. Despite being fully alongside, the two cars made contact, forcing Russell to take the escape road.
The FIA stewards examined the incident closely. After deliberation, they concluded that neither driver was wholly or predominantly at fault. “The driver of Car 63 [Russell] attempted to overtake Car 81 [Piastri] on the outside into Turn 13, got fully alongside, but, given the nature of the turn and the track conditions, failed to complete the manoeuvre and both cars slightly touched at the apex,” the stewards’ report read. Russell rejoined the track safely without gaining any lasting advantage, leading to the decision of no further action.
Russell’s reaction post-race reflected a mixture of frustration and optimism. He acknowledged the hard, fair racing with Piastri and noted the difficulties posed by the single dry racing line. Despite the incident and a subsequent loss of position to teammate Lewis Hamilton, Russell managed to recover and secure his first podium of the season.
Reflecting on the race, Russell expressed that it felt like a missed opportunity. “We were really quick at the beginning of the race on the inters, and then obviously, Lando [Norris] came through really fast. So then we jumped back onto the slicks, made a couple of mistakes out there just pushing the limits and paid the price for it,” he said. Nevertheless, Russell was buoyed by the performance of his Mercedes, noting the significant speed and potential for future races.
The Canadian Grand Prix highlighted the competitive spirit and challenges faced by drivers and teams alike, with Russell’s pole position and eventual podium finish underscoring Mercedes’ progress and potential for the remainder of the season.
