In fact, Red Bull is so concerned that other drivers might try to taunt Verstappen into misbehaving that it spoke to the officials about the matter.
Then again, Russell needled the Red Bull team after qualifying by pointing out that he has "a few more points on [his]license to play with."As it was, Red Bull protested Russell's win, claiming that the Mercedes driver was goading Verstappen into passing him under the safety car, which is not allowed, in the hopes of triggering that ban.
That appeal came to nothing, and the Russell/Mercedes victory stands.
Frederic Vasseur, Team Principal of Scuderia Ferrari on the pit wall during final practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Canada at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve on June 14, 2025 in Montreal, Quebec.
Mark Sutton - Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images Frederic Vasseur, Team Principal of Scuderia Ferrari on the pit wall during final practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Canada at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve on June 14, 2025 in Montreal, Quebec.
Mark Sutton - Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images Lewis was much closer to Charles in pace in practice, but his race was ruined when he ran into a marmot on lap 13 and damaged his car.
Kym Illman/Getty Images Lewis was much closer to Charles in pace in practice, but his race was ruined when he ran into a marmot on lap 13 and damaged his car.
Kym Illman/Getty Images How much of the rivalry between Max Verstappen (L) and George Russell (R) is being stoked by their respective bosses, I wonder? Clive Rose/Getty Images How much of the rivalry between Max Verstappen (L) and George Russell (R) is being stoked by their respective bosses, I wonder? Clive Rose/Getty Images Lewis was much closer to Charles in pace in practice, but his race was ruined when he ran into a marmot on lap 13 and damaged his car.
Kym Illman/Getty Images How much of the rivalry between Max Verstappen (L) and George Russell (R) is being stoked by their respective bosses, I wonder? Clive Rose/Getty Images The other big fight has seen the Italian sporting press turn its sights on Ferrari team boss Fred Vasseur.
Although Vasseur was hired to run the Scuderia, the Italian press views that as its job, and it doesn't like what it has been seeing.
For the last 17 years, Ferrari hasn't built a car that can challenge for the title, and while Vasseur was not responsible for bringing Hamilton to Ferrarithat was all down to billionaire industrialist and owner John Elkannthe lack of pace from the seven-time champion is more than those journalists can take.So the knives are out for Vasseur, just as they came for Mattia Binnotto before him.
Ferrari has had four team bosses since 2014, and none of them have been afforded by the Italian press the time necessary to truly turn the team around.
Much of the success it found in the early 2000s was down to a rigid pact between then-boss Jean Todt, then-technical director Ross Brawn, and Michael Schumacher, who agreed that if one of them were forced out, all three would go.
The team won five championships in a row and challenged for many more under Todt's tenure, but it took seven years to get that first title in 2000.
Maybe they should try a little patience?