In a dramatic Monaco Grand Prix, Mercedes’ George Russell shrugged off a drive-through penalty, insisting he “didn’t really care” as he was out of the points.
The British driver, starting from P14 after a bumpy qualifying session caused a power unit issue, faced a challenging race complicated by a new two-stop strategy rule.
Teams like Visa Cash App RB and Williams executed the mandated stops effectively, with Isack Hadjar and Liam Lawson finishing sixth and eighth, while Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz secured ninth and tenth.
The strategy saw drivers deliberately slow the pack to create gaps for teammates’ pit stops. “We planned a similar approach with Kimi and me,” Russell told reporters, “but starting 14th and 15th, our options were limited. Whether we pitted early or went long, the result was the same, nowhere.”
Frustrated by the tactical games, Russell overtook Albon by cutting the Nouvelle Chicane while Sainz, just ahead, managed the pack’s pace. Expecting a lighter penalty, Russell was hit with a drive-through, which he dismissed. “I was surprised, but honestly, I didn’t care,” he said. “I was out of the points anyway.”
The three-time Grand Prix winner expressed no regrets, emphasizing his desire to enjoy the iconic circuit. “I didn’t get to savor Monaco yesterday, so I thought, ‘Screw it, I want to have fun.’ I pushed flat-out for the last 25 laps, it was exhilarating, testing my limits on one of the world’s best tracks,” Russell said.
“Ironically, that move got me a better position than if I’d played it safe, maybe 15th or 16th.”
The incident highlighted flaws in the new two-stop rule, with Russell arguing it disadvantaged midfield runners. As Formula 1 heads to the Spanish Grand Prix on June 1 at the 4.675-kilometer Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, teams will be eager to refine their strategies for the 66-lap challenge.
