Ewan Gale has been a part of GPBlog since 2025, working as a contributing editor. After gaining a first-class degree in Sports Journalism in 2019, Ewan has built experience working for GPFans, RacingNews365 and Autosport, reporting on-site from a number of grands prix, car launches and team events.
Mercedes Formula 1 driver George Russell has responded to the FIA's latest driver fine saga, detailing the troubles his colleagues face in ensuring punctuality for pre-race ceremonies.
World motorsport's governing body has come under pressure from drivers across it's championships - though largely F1 and the World Rally Championship - over its clampdown on anything from the underwear worn during races, to the adornment of jewellery and, more recently, swearing.
But Williams driver Carlos Sainz was fined heavily for showing up slightly late to the national anthem at last weekend's Japanese Grand Prix, with the Spaniard revealing he had been caught out by a trip to the toilet pre-race.
Russell: "It's a pretty expensive poo"
Russell, who is a director of the Grand Prix Drivers' Association and as such regularly fields questions regarding the FIA's governance, was asked about the fine and told media including GPBlog: "It's a pretty expensive poo."
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"I totally appreciate that we have a duty to be there for the national anthem. It's not quite as straightforward as people may think for us to be there on time.
"We're often running to the toilet and there's sometimes just not toilets available between the time you jump out of the car and go into the anthem. And then you get stopped by some people on the grid or people asking for a quick interview.
"You know it's not like we've got one sole job and that's only it. We're trying to take our moment before the Grand Prix, and being there on that minute is sometimes not straightforward.
"So I appreciate it from F1's perspective because it's a very important moment of the race, but also from a driver's perspective there are hard, genuine logistical issues — sometimes you're literally waiting to get into a bathroom cubicle."
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Austrian Grand Prix
Overview
Friday 26.06.26
Practice 1
11:30 AM
Practice 2
03:00 PM
Saturday 27.06.26
Practice 3
10:30 AM
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02:00 PM
Sunday 28.06.26
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01:00 PM
Friday 26.06.26
Practice 1
Fri 11:30 AM
Practice 2
Fri 03:00 PM
Saturday 27.06.26
Practice 3
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Qualification
Sat 02:00 PM
Sunday 28.06.26
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F1-stand 2026
Season
| Pos. | Driver | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | MercedesMER | 156 | |
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10 | Racing BullsRCB | 28 |
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