In a shocking turn of events at the Monaco Grand Prix, George Russell, the Mercedes driver, found himself in hot water after attempting a daring move on Alex Albon that backfired spectacularly. Russell was handed a drive-through penalty for overtaking Albon off the track at the Nouvelle chicane. Admitting to the intentional maneuver, Russell anticipated a 10-second penalty, only to face a harsher punishment from the FIA stewards due to a prior warning about such actions resulting in a more severe penalty.
Adding to the drama, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, also from Mercedes, tried a similar tactic but was promptly ordered to relinquish the position. The consequences were dire, with Russell finishing in 11th place and Antonelli in 18th. The 10-second penalty for gaining an advantage by going off the track was a stark reminder of the consequences, especially following a similar incident at the Miami Grand Prix last year. The high stakes and intense competition in Formula 1 continue to push drivers to the edge, with each move under the scrutiny of officials and fans alike.