George Russell endured an eventful afternoon at the Monaco Grand Prix, with the Mercedes driver having been awarded with a five-second time penalty in the closing stages of the sixth race of the 2023 Formula 1 season.
After qualifying eighth, Russell opted to run deep into the race on his opening set of tyres, with the Briton having miraculously found himself in third as the afternoon reached a decisive point.
Whilst virtually every driver behind him had pitted, Russell had yet to make his first pit-stop as the heavens dramatically opened, something which saw every driver return to the pits for Intermediates.
By not pitting for a second set of slick tyres, Russell jumped both Alpine drivers, both Ferrari drivers and team-mate Lewis Hamilton, putting him in with a great shout of a podium.
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When he made his stop for a set of Intermediates, Russell re-joined the circuit still in third, before running into the run-off area at Mirabeau.
The error saw Esteban Ocon and Hamilton overtake the 25-year-old, whilst he then went on to collide with Sergio Perez as he attempted to re-join the circuit.
Seemingly unaware of where Perez was, Russell cut across the front of the Red Bull driver as he re-joined the circuit, resulting in a heavy collision between the pair.
They both miraculously escaped without damage; however, Russell was awarded a five-second time penalty as a result.
In an attempt to build a big enough gap over sixth-placed Charles Leclerc, Russell asked Mercedes if he could overtake Hamilton and attempt to pass Ocon, in a bid to not finish outside the top five.
Mercedes denied the request given that Russell had the pace to build a big enough gap to Leclerc, something he comfortably did.
Russell ultimately finished fifth; however, fans were quick to criticise the Briton for asking to overtake Hamilton in an attempt to help himself.
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“George Russell involuntarily exposed himself asking for team orders when it only benefits him and clearly showing he doesn’t car about the team,” wrote @tsimiks on Twitter.
@mmlets commented: “He doesn’t fit the Mercedes philosophy.”
Russell was also called a “desperate man” by @carolaucock.