Red Bull Warns FIA of Gamesmanship Against Verstappen at Canadian GP

Ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix, Red Bull warned Formula One's governing body, the FIA, about potential gamesmanship from rivals aimed at provoking Max Verstappen into actions that could result in a one-race ban, according to team principal Christian Horner. Verstappen, the four-time world champion, entered the race with 11 penalty points on his super licence, just one point shy of an automatic suspension, which would activate if he reached 12 points. Red Bull approached race director Rui Marques after a drivers' meeting to request vigilance against any attempts to lure Verstappen into penalty-triggering incidents. During the race, a late safety car period saw Red Bull protest against Mercedes driver George Russell, alleging unsportsmanlike behaviour including erratic braking and radio complaints that Verstappen had illegally overtaken under the safety car. The stewards rejected Red Bull's protest but acknowledged the claims of unsportsmanlike intent in radio communications. Horner emphasized that the team had asked the race director to monitor the situation closely due to media comments and the intense rivalry, with Verstappen ultimately finishing second behind Russell at the event.