Albon buys Russell dinner after frustrating Monaco tactics

George Russell was unable to grab any points in Sunday's Monaco Grand Prix after both Williams drivers held him up, but he was at least able to score a free dinner courtesy of Alex Albon.

Williams exploited the circuit's difficulty in producing overtakes and Formula 1's new regulations requiring two pit stops at Monaco, driving deliberately slowly to hold up several drivers and create a gap allowing their driver to pit without losing positions. Russell was on the receiving end of this controversial tactic and finished behind both Carlos Sainz and Albon as a result.

Sainz was the first to hold up Russell and those behind him, then swapped positions with Albon after the Thai driver completed his two stops. Russell grew increasingly frustrated and eventually cut a chicane to pass Albon. He then received a drive-through penalty despite arguing over the radio that the Williams pilot was driving erratically. The Mercedes driver finished 11th while Albon and Sainz placed ninth and 10th, respectively.

Russell told reporters after the race that Albon "would definitely get the bill" at dinner Sunday, according to ESPN's Laurence Edmondson.

Despite his points finish, Albon wasn't proud of the team's tactics. "That was a very ugly race. I apologize to everyone watching that one," he said on the onboard radio after the checkered flag.

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff also revealed that Williams team principal James Vowles texted him during the race to apologize for his team's defense. Vowles told Wolff, "I'm sorry. We had no choice." Wolff replied, "We know."