Russell angry: 'That red flag was a comical decision'

F1 News

George Russell angry at FIA GP Australia decision
2 April 2023 at 07:34
  • GPblog.com

George Russell crashed out of the Australian Grand Prix with an exploded engine. The Briton balks at his failure, but seems especially angry at the FIA. Who decided to wave the red flag earlier in the race.

Russell angry at FIA

Alexander Albon crashed and because his car was on the track, a safety car arrived. This was turned into a red flag, making the pit stop that Russell had made during the safety car on lap one unnecessary. This caused the Mercedes driver to lose his strategic advantage, having given up his leading position with the earlier pit stop.

Speaking to Viaplay, Russell did not have a good word to say to the FIA: "Bitterly disappointed, to be honest. I felt like everything we did, we absolutely maximised. Qualifying performance was brilliant, and the start was great. Couldn't have done more. Pitting under the safety car was the right thing to do. The red flag was a comical decision, the same way as the safety car last week. It was a totally unnecessary decision in Saudi, why they are being made, I don't know. Ultimately, our race was compromised with the failure,"