Ocon condemns Russell's 'dirty' move at the Monaco Grand Prix

14:28, 29 May

byOlly Darcy

Esteban Ocon has said that George Russell's move at the Monaco Grand Prix over Alex Albon was "dirty", while also saying the racing seen last week was "not a sport anymore".

During the Grand Prix in the Principality, Russell was stuck behind both the Williams cars of Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon, with the latter holding up the Mercedes driver hugely to let his Spanish teammate create a gap to pit into.

As a result of this holdup, Russell ended up taking some extreme action on the track, cutting the Nouvelle Chicane to get by the Thai-British driver and continue his race, saying he would "take the penalty" over the team radio.

However, it did not work out for the 27-year-old, receiving a drive-through penalty for his corner-cutting that saw him drop back down the grid and not score any points after starting in P14.

Despite finishing outside of the points, Russell stayed P4 in the championship on 99 points, 20 clear of Charles Leclerc in fifth

Ocon understands why Russell made that move

Asked about that move, Ocon said that he was surprised to see the verdict that came back from the stewards regarding Russell's penalty.

"I don't think we all were [expecting that decision]," the Frenchman started by saying in the paddock to several media sources, including GPblog, at the Spanish Grand Prix.

"It makes sense, but it's a bit dirty, the whole thing. If you think about it, it was just like, oh yeah, fine, I cut the track and see you later," continued Ocon.

However, Ocon does reason as to why Russell made that move, with the Haas driver unhappy with the way racing took place on the streets of Monte Carlo.

"That was not nice. Also, it opens it up for such team orders that are honestly not very clean. It's not a sport anymore if you start to do that. Yes, there's always been some team orders in F1, but this is not what we like to see. And to that extent, it's honestly too much."

How would Ocon make changes to the Monaco Grand Prix?

But being able to police the lap times and tactics is something that would be quite a challenge. But Ocon has an idea of how to make a change.

"Obviously, we have data everywhere, so you can see if people start lifting off the throttle in corners, and they go suddenly three seconds quicker from one lap to another. You need to get into data, which would be difficult for the stewards and everyone to show evidence, and then it would be important not to go into fights between teams. ‘Oh yes, but now he was blocking me there, and I have the evidence here.’ That would be a pain in the ass.

"But yeah, I think, to that extent, we need to make sure that this doesn't become the normality. I know some strategists, they like to do that a lot. I've worked with some in the past, and I've always been against this. Even on my side in the team, there was a scenario where Ollie was supposed to do that at some point for me, and I said, ‘I don't want that to happen.

"Yes, we need to make a good race, but if you are Ollie at that stage, he's already had a difficult weekend, and he wants to race as well on his side. It's not a nice thing to be doing for all the others, but also for the second car in that race," concluded Ocon.