George Russell concedes Fernando Alonso penalty "harsh" after inheriting podium

George Russell, Mercedes, Saudi Arabia, 2023 — Photo: © LAT Images

Saudi Arabian Grand Prix

Russell concedes Alonso penalty "harsh" after inheriting podium

Russell was promoted to the podium after Alonso's penalty

Ewan Gale

Sunday 19 March 2023 20:31

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George Russell believes the post-race penalty that stripped Fernando Alonso of a podium at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix was "pretty harsh".

Aston Martin driver Alonso had seemingly secured a 100th F1 podium, only to be hit with a 10-second penalty retrospectively having failed to serve an initial punishment correctly.

The Spaniard was handed a five-second penalty for being out of position at the start and served this at his sole pit stop, though video evidence showed the jack applied to the rear of the AMR23 before the time had elapsed.

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READ MORE: Rosberg berates 'unacceptable' Aston Martin penalty mistake After the pit stop, Russell mistakingly believed Alonso was still to serve the penalty and was conserving his tyres, allowing team-mate Lewis Hamilton to close in on track.

"It was an interesting race," Russell told Sky Sports F1.

"After the safety car, I was on the hards and Lewis was on the mediums so he probably had a bit more pace at the beginning.

"I knew my pace was coming at the end."

Alonso 'deserved' podium

On Alonso's penalty, Russell explained: "There was a lot of confusion because I thought Fernando had a five-second penalty so I didn't want us to be fighting between each other and we both lose out to Fernando.

"I wanted us to manage our tyres, stay in striking distance and then have a fair battle towards the end.

"Pleased to come home P4 - the penalty to Fernando is pretty harsh.

"They are the deserving podium finishers today but I will take an extra trophy so I am not complaining too much."