Wolff: Red Bull protests against Russell 'petty' and 'embarrassing'

Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff doesn't understand why Red Bull filed protests against George Russell's victory at the Canadian Grand Prix, calling them "petty" and "embarrassing."

Red Bull alleged that Russell committed safety car infringements, including erratic driving and unsportsmanlike conduct, during the race in Montreal. However, the team's protests were eventually rejected by the FIA, and the Mercedes driver kept his win over Max Verstappen, who came second.

"First of all, it took team Red Bull Racing two hours before they launched the protest, so that was in their doing," Wolff told Sky Sports on Monday. "You know, honestly, it's so petty and so small."

He added: "You know, you race, you win and you lose on track. That was a fair victory for us, like so many they had in the past. And it's just embarrassing."

Russell added that he didn't believe Verstappen knew a protest was happening, a sentiment Wolff echoed.

"Who decides it? Because I'm 100% sure it's not Max, he's a racer," Wolff said. "He would never go for a protest on such a trivial thing."

Red Bull also lodged a protest against Russell in Miami for a yellow flag violation, though that was also dismissed.

Russell's victory in Montreal was his first of the season.