FIA clears George Russell's Mercedes after extensive Spanish GP inspection

George Russell's Mercedes has been cleared by the FIA after an 'extensive physical inspection' following the Spanish Grand Prix, with the governing body confirming the W17 is fully compliant with the 2026 technical regulations.

Why it matters:

The all-clear removes any potential controversy around Mercedes' front suspension design at a time when the team is battling for the Constructors' title. It also underscores the FIA's routine random checks on top-10 finishers, which are part of the sport's ongoing technical scrutiny.

The details:

• Russell finished fifth in Madrid, while teammate Kimi Antonelli took victory ahead of Max Verstappen and Lando Norris.
• The #63 car was randomly selected for a more thorough examination, as outlined by FIA Technical Delegate Jo Bauer.
• Inspections covered the front suspension assembly: dampers, fairings, suspension member geometry, uprights and wheel hubs.
• Also checked were sensor identification and connections to the standard ECU, data logging, homologation status and FIA-F1-DOC-001 submissions.
• All inspected items were found to be in compliance with the 2026 Formula One Technical Regulations.

What's next:

Russell now trails Antonelli by 81 points in the drivers' standings, a gap he admits leaves him effectively out of the title fight. The Briton says his focus shifts to helping Mercedes secure the Constructors' championship, with the Azerbaijan Grand Prix up next.