FIA Hikes Protest Fee for 2026 After Team Clashes

The FIA is cracking down on procedural disputes by raising the financial barrier for protests and appeals to €20,000 starting in 2026. This tenfold increase from the current €2,000 fee is a direct response to recent high-profile clashes between teams, most notably Red Bull's unsuccessful challenges against George Russell's victory in Canada, aiming to deter frivolous challenges and streamline the stewarding process.

Why it matters:

This change targets strategic, low-probability protests that can be used to disrupt a rival's race weekend or apply political pressure. By raising the stakes financially, the FIA aims to ensure only the most legitimate and significant cases are brought forward, promoting cleaner competition and reducing administrative overhead for the stewards during already busy Grand Prix weekends.

The details:

• The deposit fee for lodging a protest or seeking a right of review will increase from €2,000 to €20,000 for the 2026 season.
• The rule change was prompted by Red Bull's twin protests against George Russell's victory at the 2025 Canadian Grand Prix.
• Red Bull accused Russell of driving erratically and failing to stay within the required delta time behind the safety car, but both complaints were dismissed by the stewards in Montreal.
• The new measure is part of the FIA's ongoing efforts to manage team conduct and ensure that the focus remains on sporting competition rather than legal battles in the paddock.

What's next:

This new financial deterrent will force teams to conduct more thorough internal reviews before formally protesting a rival's result. As F1 heads into a new regulatory era in 2026, the FIA is signaling a push for greater on-track and off-track discipline, aiming to minimize controversies that overshadow the racing itself.