George Russell Faces Swearing Penalty After Pre-Season Testing Slip

George Russell could receive a penalty for swearing on live TV during 2025 Formula 1 pre-season testing.

Nov 23, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Mercedes AMG Petronas driver George Russell (63) celebrates his race victory of the Las Vegas Grand Prix at Las Vegas Circuit. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images / Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

George Russell could be facing a swearing penalty after a slip-up during the Viaplay broadcast of pre-season testing.

As the testing session came to a halt due to a power cut, Russell inadvertently let slip a swear word during a live broadcast on Viaplay. Whilst recounting the moment he realised there had been a power cut he said, "oh s**t there's no lights on."

george russell just said 'oh shit' on viaplay, fine him, ban him from the sport right now. this is unnacceptable. fraudulent, he's bad influence on the kids.@fia @mohammedbensulayem @mbs @redbullracing @fbi @Max33Verstappen pic.twitter.com/r6H4mAqNhq

— 🎭 z (@rbrzoe) February 26, 2025

This comes after the stricter regulations that the FIA has introduced concerning language misconduct at motorsport events.  

More News: F1 Pre-Season Testing Red Flagged After Circuit-Wide Power Failure  

The new language penalties were implemented in 2025 as part of the updates to the FIA International Sporting Code. These rules are designed to hold drivers accountable for their public remarks, particularly in the heat of the moment when racing.

For a first offense, the fine stands at €40,000 for Formula 1 drivers. The consequences become increasingly intense with subsequent violations, including larger fines and potential suspensions, and championship point deductions.

More News: FIA Issues Statement After 'Tribalistic Reaction' From Fans To Verstappen And Horner  

At this stage, it looks as though the moment has not been noted by the FIA. However, it is likely that the British driver could be the first in F1 to receive the controversial penalty.

Pre-season testing will continue over the next two days, with eight hours of testing per day. Russell will be sharing the time with his new teammate Andrea Kimi Antonelli.

The 2025 F1 season will kick off with the Australian Grand Prix on March 14-16 followed by the Chinese Grand Prix the week after.

For the latest F1 news, head over to F1 on SI.

2025 Pre-Season Testing Day 1: Full Driver Timesheet

1. Lando Norris, McLaren
2. George Russell, Mercedes
3. Max Verstappen, Red Bull
4. Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
5. Carlos Sainz, Williams
6. Pierre Gasly, Alpine
7. Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
8. Liam Lawson, Red Bull
9. Alex Albon, Williams
10. Yuki Tsunoda, Racing Bulls
11. Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls
12. Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber
13. Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
14. Jack Doohan, Alpine
15. Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin
16. Lance Stroll, Aston Martin
17. Oscar Piastri, McLaren
18. Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber
19. Esteban Ocon, Haas
20. Oliver Bearman, Haas

2025 Formula One Season Schedule

Pre-Season Testing

• Dates: 26-28 Feb
• Location: Bahrain, Sakhir
• Event Name: FORMULA 1 ARAMCO PRE-SEASON TESTING 2025
• Circuit: Pre-Season Testing

Australia

• Dates: 14-16 Mar
• Location: Australia, Melbourne
• Event Name: FORMULA 1 AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX 2025
• Circuit: Melbourne circuit

China

• Dates: 21-23 Mar
• Location: China, Shanghai
• Event Name: FORMULA 1 HEINEKEN CHINESE GRAND PRIX 2025
• Circuit: Shanghai circuit

Japan

• Dates: 04-06 Apr
• Location: Japan, Suzuka
• Event Name: FORMULA 1 LENOVO JAPANESE GRAND PRIX 2025
• Circuit: Suzuka circuit

Bahrain

• Dates: 11-13 Apr
• Location: Bahrain, Sakhir
• Event Name: FORMULA 1 BAHRAIN GRAND PRIX 2025
• Circuit: Sakhir circuit

Saudi Arabia

• Dates: 18-20 Apr
• Location: Saudi Arabia, Jeddah
• Event Name: FORMULA 1 STC SAUDI ARABIAN GRAND PRIX 2025
• Circuit: Jeddah circuit

Miami

• Dates: 02-04 May
• Location: Miami, Miami
• Event Name: FORMULA 1 CRYPTO.COM MIAMI GRAND PRIX 2025
• Circuit: Miami circuit

Emilia-Romagna

• Dates: 16-18 May
• Location: Emilia-Romagna, Imola
• Event Name: FORMULA 1 AWS GRAN PREMIO DEL MADE IN ITALY E DELL'EMILIA-ROMAGNA 2025
• Circuit: Imola circuit

Monaco

• Dates: 23-25 May
• Location: Monaco, Monaco
• Event Name: FORMULA 1 GRAND PRIX DE MONACO 2025
• Circuit: Monaco circuit

Spain

• Dates: 30 May-01 Jun
• Location: Spain, Barcelona
• Event Name: FORMULA 1 ARAMCO GRAN PREMIO DE ESPAÑA 2025
• Circuit: Barcelona circuit

Canada

• Dates: 13-15 Jun
• Location: Canada, Montréal
• Event Name: FORMULA 1 PIRELLI GRAND PRIX DU CANADA 2025
• Circuit: Montréal circuit

Austria

• Dates: 27-29 Jun
• Location: Austria, Spielberg
• Event Name: FORMULA 1 MSC CRUISES AUSTRIAN GRAND PRIX 2025
• Circuit: Spielberg circuit

Great Britain

• Dates: 04-06 Jul
• Location: Great Britain, Silverstone
• Event Name: FORMULA 1 QATAR AIRWAYS BRITISH GRAND PRIX 2025
• Circuit: Silverstone circuit

Belgium

• Dates: 25-27 Jul
• Location: Belgium, Spa-Francorchamps
• Event Name: FORMULA 1 BELGIAN GRAND PRIX 2025
• Circuit: Spa-Francorchamps circuit

Hungary

• Dates: 01-03 Aug
• Location: Hungary, Budapest
• Event Name: FORMULA 1 LENOVO HUNGARIAN GRAND PRIX 2025
• Circuit: Budapest circuit

Netherlands

• Dates: 29-31 Aug
• Location: Netherlands, Zandvoort
• Event Name: FORMULA 1 HEINEKEN DUTCH GRAND PRIX 2025
• Circuit: Zandvoort circuit

Italy

• Dates: 05-07 Sep
• Location: Italy, Monza
• Event Name: FORMULA 1 PIRELLI GRAN PREMIO D’ITALIA 2025
• Circuit: Monza circuit

Azerbaijan

• Dates: 19-21 Sep
• Location: Azerbaijan, Baku
• Event Name: FORMULA 1 QATAR AIRWAYS AZERBAIJAN GRAND PRIX 2025
• Circuit: Baku circuit

Singapore

• Dates: 03-05 Oct
• Location: Singapore, Marina Bay
• Event Name: FORMULA 1 SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX 2025
• Circuit: Marina Bay circuit

United States

• Dates: 17-19 Oct
• Location: United States, Austin
• Event Name: FORMULA 1 MSC CRUISES UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX 2025
• Circuit: Austin circuit

Mexico

• Dates: 24-26 Oct
• Location: Mexico, Mexico City
• Event Name: FORMULA 1 GRAN PREMIO DE LA CIUDAD DE MÉXICO 2025
• Circuit: Mexico City circuit

Brazil

• Dates: 07-09 Nov
• Location: Brazil, São Paulo
• Event Name: FORMULA 1 MSC CRUISES GRANDE PRÊMIO DE SÃO PAULO 2025
• Circuit: São Paulo circuit

Las Vegas

• Dates: 20-22 Nov
• Location: Las Vegas, Las Vegas
• Event Name: FORMULA 1 HEINEKEN SILVER LAS VEGAS GRAND PRIX 2025
• Circuit: Las Vegas circuit

Qatar

• Dates: 28-30 Nov
• Location: Qatar, Lusail
• Event Name: FORMULA 1 QATAR AIRWAYS QATAR GRAND PRIX 2025
• Circuit: Lusail circuit

Abu Dhabi

• Dates: 05-07 Dec
• Location: Abu Dhabi, Yas Island
• Event Name: FORMULA 1 ETIHAD AIRWAYS ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX 2025
• Circuit: Yas Island circuit