Lambiase and Verstappen discuss Russell’s controversial Safety Car moves on team radio | Canada GP. Red Bull’s Verstappen and engineer Lambiase discuss suspicious maneuvers by Mercedes’ Russell.

Lambiase-Verstappen and those team radios about Russell’s behavior behind the Safety Car: “Don’t fall for his tricks”

Over the radio, the world champion had reported suspicious maneuvers—according to him—by the Mercedes driver

The usual duo
Once again, George Russell and Max Verstappen are at the center of attention after the Canadian GP, keeping the final race result uncertain. The Englishman and the Dutchman were called by the stewards following a protest by Red Bull against driver #63, the on-track winner, for his behavior under the Safety Car.

Despite few official details, the emerging theory is that Red Bull is contesting an alleged deliberate attempt by Russell to get Verstappen penalized with a license point—potentially causing his disqualification from the next GP—by suddenly slowing down under the Safety Car to let #1 pass him, which in fact happened for a brief moment.

The Lambiase-Verstappen team radios
Over the radio during these particular race phases after Lando Norris’s accident, Max Verstappen and his race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase referred to Russell’s behavior. The Dutch champion also complained that, in his opinion, Russell was not respecting the correct distance behind the Safety Car. Lambiase took note but especially urged his driver not to fall for the rival’s—alleged—provocations.

Below is a brief transcript of the radio exchange between the two in the race’s final phase. The stewards will now have to decide the matter.

Verstappen: “George suddenly braked aggressively.”
Lambiase: “Understood, thanks. We’ll check for irregular driving.”
Lambiase: “We see it on our data stream too, Max. Thanks for the info.”
Russell accelerates
Verstappen: “Again, it’s more than 10 car lengths [distance from the Safety Car].”
Lambiase: “Okay, we’ll check that as well, thanks.”
Lambiase: “Yes, the incident with Russell is now shown in the feeds, Max. So, it’s pretty clear. Just don’t fall for his tricks, okay? Thanks.”
Lambiase: “The Safety Car will go through the pits, Max.”
Russell accelerates
Verstappen: “Again, more than 10 car lengths, what’s he doing?”
Lambiase: “Thanks.”
Verstappen: “It’s way more than 10 [car lengths], look here!”
Lambiase: “Yes, thanks Max. We’ll take a look. Thanks, mate.”
Lambiase: “Ah, this is the last lap, Max. Congrats on keeping calm right now.”