George Russell admits his Monaco GP penalty was fair

During the race, Russell found himself stuck behind Williams’ Alex Albon, who was intentionally slowing the pace to help teammate Carlos Sainz Jr. maintain position ahead. After being held up for several laps on a track known for its limited overtaking opportunities, Russell made a bold decision: he cut the Nouvelle Chicane to pass Albon.

It was a clear breach of the rules, and the stewards responded quickly by handing him a drive-through penalty—harsher than the usual 10-second time penalty due to the obvious intention behind the move.

Despite the consequences, Russell accepted responsibility without argument. “It was a deserved penalty,” he said after the race. “Deliberate rule breaking should never be allowed. I wouldn’t have done it if we were fighting for points.”

Russell explained that he wasn’t trying to gain a competitive edge but rather just got fed up with being stuck behind a slower car, calling the situation “rubbish.” He even joked about Albon’s driving pace, saying, “I was just getting tired of seeing Alex driving like a grandma.”

In an unexpected but humorous twist, Albon took Russell out to dinner after the race, sharing a photo of the dinner bill on Instagram with the caption: “You’re welcome.” The gesture showed that while there might be frustration on track, there’s still mutual respect and camaraderie off it.

The incident has sparked conversations about on-track fairness and sportsmanship, especially at circuits like Monaco where overtaking is nearly impossible. But in the end, Russell’s honesty and willingness to accept his penalty stood out—a reminder that accountability still matters in the world of elite motorsport.