SPIELBERG, Austria — George Russell will keep his controversial pole position for Formula 1’s 2026 Austrian Grand Prix after officials opted to not investigate whether he had committed a yellow flag infringement after Max Verstappen’s late crash.Verstappen crashed on his final qualifying lap around the Red Bull Ring on Saturday afternoon, sliding into the barriers between Turns 9 and 10. At the time, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc looked set to secure his first pole position of the 2026 season, with his teammate Lewis Hamilton holding provisional second place.But Russell was on a flyer behind Verstappen and continued his lap, risking a potential significant penalty if he was found to have not slowed down under double-waved flags.He was initially noted for his actions, but the FIA’s race control decided the incident was not worth passing for further investigation by the Austrian race stewards. This is because only a single yellow flag was shown when the Briton passed by the crash and that he reacted appropriately in lifting off the gas pedal.Such crashes are normally covered at least by double yellow flag warnings – which mean drivers must abort their flying laps and be prepared to stop on track to avoid danger ahead. But, according to the FIA, a marshal trackside hit the button to show a single yellow flag, and it took another 15-20-seconds before the race director was able to override this signal and show double yellow flags.In those seconds, Russell and his Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli had already passed through the corners in question, making Russell’s lap legal. Ferrari will not be filing a protest over the incident.Max Verstappen climbs from his car after crashing late in qualifying at the 2026 Austrian GP. (Clive Rose/Getty Images)Russell said during the post-qualifying news conference he felt that the single yellow flag was the right choice for the scenario. He also said he didn’t see the Red Bull in the barriers on the outside of the track.