While Lando Norris delivered a masterclass performance over the Monaco Grand Prix weekend, George Russell and Alex Albon delivered a masterclass in sportsmanship. After their duel on track became heated, resulting in a penalty for the Mercedes driver, Albon ended up paying for their dinner date that evening.
Formula 1 introduced a mandatory two-stop rule this weekend, and while it was created to introduce more excitement into the race, instead it opened the door for controversial strategies.
Russell, starting from a difficult 14th on the grid, found his W15 nestled behind Albon’s gearbox, who was driving deliberately slow to assist his team-mate Carlos Sainz further up the track. Growing increasingly frustrated behind the Williams, Russell decided to cut across the Nouvelle chicane, resulting in him getting slammed with a drive-through penalty.
“I’ve got to be honest, I didn’t really care because I was out of the points,” Russell said following the race.
“I didn’t get the chance (on Saturday) to enjoy Monaco. I just said, screw it, I want to enjoy Monaco. I want to enjoy driving this track full gas. It’s one of the best circuits in the world. And that’s what I did. The last 25 laps was the most fun I’ve had all weekend.”
George Russell, Mercedes
Photo by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
Albon was clearly frustrated with how drivers, including himself, were forced to perform.
“Not how I want to go racing and I don’t think enjoyable for anyone watching as well,” he admitted.
“George is cheeky, when you’re in the car with him on the road, he does some cheeky moves,” Albon said with a smile. “He did it on the racetrack as well.
“I mean, I knew exactly what he was doing, and it was a bit too obvious to get away with. But I applauded the effort, he had to do something to get points. And he did make us worry for a couple of laps before the drive-through penalty came through,” he joked.
With both drivers at odds with each other, it would have been fair to assume a few stern words were exchanged after the race. Instead, Albon paid for their dinner and they were photographed smiling together.
The Instagram post (above) generated an overwhelmingly positive response from fans who applauded the sportsmanlike behaviour between the two.
“This is what you call sportsmanship,” wrote one fan – a comment that was liked almost 4,000 times as a second joked: “It should have been a drive thru!”
A third added: “Keeping the racing on the track and the friendship afterwards is so special.”
“Who said Monaco wasn’t a sporting spectacle?” argued another.
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