Mercedes driver George Russell was on disqualification alert in practice at the Qatar Grand Prix, commenting over team radio that he could smell wood out on track.

Plank wear is a hot topic ahead of the penultimate round of the F1 2025 season following the disqualification of both McLaren drivers at last weekend’s Las Vegas Grand Prix.

George Russell on DSQ alert in FP1 at Qatar Grand Prix

Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri originally finished second and fourth respectively in Nevada, but found themselves excluded due to excessive plank wear following a post-race investigation.

Russell and Mercedes teammate Andrea Kimi Antonelli were promoted to second and third in Las Vegas as a result of McLaren’s double disqualification.

McLaren’s exclusion could prove to have significant ramifications

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