Stewards issue Russell-Piastri verdict following second Japanese GP incident

George Russell will face no further action for his late-race Japanese Grand Prix clash with Oscar Piastri, the stewards have determined.

On Lap 50 at Suzuka, Russell attempted to move up the inside of Piastri at the chicane, but contact was made and the McLaren was forced to take to the run-off and cut the chicane.

Russell eventually passed Piastri for seventh place on the final lap, but the two were called to the stewards for the second time over the weekend after a qualifying incident on Saturday.

In their verdict, the stewards described that the incident "provided a number of challenges in arriving at a decision."

The four-steward panel accepted that Russell did not "dive in" at the chicane and was "in control" of his Mercedes and was entitled to "racing room".

He then collided with the inside kerb, before hitting Piastri, who then took "evasive action rather than risking another collision with perhaps more serious consequences."

Russell was deemed to have "left sufficient room" for Piastri to make Turn 16, who in turn rejoined safely.

The stewards noted that the driving standards rules are "silent on what action is required of a driver who leaves the track to avoid a collision or is forced off, safely rejoins the track and retains position" as happened with Piastri.

The stewards also wrote that both drivers and their team representatives "agreed this incident did not warrant the imposition of any penalty."