F1 and FIA to review regulations after protest controversy

The Formula 1 commission has agreed to evaluate the deposit fees for "protests, appeals and right of reviews", as well as expanding the circumstances under which fees might be required.

Specifically, it discussed the introduction of a fee for investigations as well as the discussions centred on the adjustment of existing fees.

Held on 22 July, it was the third F1 commission meeting of the season, chaired by FIA single-seater director Nikolas Tombazis and Formula 1 president and CEO Stefano Domenicali.

The matter has come to the fore in the wake of Red Bull's protest of George Russell at the recent Canadian Grand Prix.

Currently set at €2,000 per protest, the Mercedes driver argued a "six-figure sum" should be required in an attempt to dissuade speculative action.

"When you look at the financial penalties for using swear words in the heat of the moment, or touching a rear wing, €2,000 for a team making nine-figure profits is not even going to touch the side," he said at the time.

"If it was a six-figure sum to be put down, maybe they would think twice about it, and you do get your money back if you win a protest, so it is basically your own risk," he added.

"Whereas, at the moment, €2,000 for a Formula 1 team is not even a consideration."

Although the second time in recent months Red Bull has filed a protest aimed at Russell, the first coming at the Miami Grand Prix.

The one in Montreal, however, caused a significant stir, as it delayed the FIA confirming the final results of the race at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve - a victory for the British driver over Max Verstappen - for over five hours.

In the four-time grand prix winner's opinion, it was "pretty clear" the subsequent investigation by the stewards would not result in a penalty and a change in the results.

"It was nothing, and it all came from Red Bull, as opposed to Max, I don't think he was even aware of the protests," Russell argued.

"It was pretty clear that there was not going to be any penalty, and my personal view is that they wanted to go and be offensive to protect Max in case he got a penalty for going ahead of me during the safety car incident.

"My personal view is that it was just a bit of a faff and not really necessary."

In the FIA's media statement following the F1 commission meeting, it confirmed: "It was agreed that the deposit fees for protests, appeals and right of reviews should be evaluated with a view to those fees being adjusted. The introduction of a fee for investigations was also discussed."

The final sentence is related to an issue that became pertinent after McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown took aim at Red Bull earlier in the year, with the Milton Keynes squad pushing for the reigning constructors' champions to be investigated over its novel brake and tyre cooling solution.